White Lillet Forté

Ingredients

• 1 cup hot water
• 1 cup cane sugar, or try our Amber Tea Sugar
• 1/2 cup of purple basil*
• 2 oz of Lillet Blanc (30 ml)
• 2 oz of hot water
• 1 Tea Forté White Ginger Pear pyramid tea infuser, or 1 tsp of loose leaf tea
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• 1 dash of lime
• ice cubes
• Garnish: a twist of lime or lemon and a sprig of rosemary

*Note: If using green basil, use only a 1/4 cup, as it's flavor is stronger than the purple variety.

Directions

Make the basil simple syrup:

1. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and the sugar over medium heat and stir until completely dissolved.
2. Remove from heat, add the basil leaves and steep for 5 minutes.
3. Strain the simple syrup into a container and cool before using. Discard or compost the basil leaves.

Make the tea cocktail:

1. Fill a wine glass with ice and set aside to chill.
2. In a teacup or mug, steep the tea with 2 ounces of hot water for 4 minutes, then remove the infuser or strain out the tea leaves. Add a few ice cubes to the steeped tea liquid and stir for 30 seconds to cool. Remove ice and set aside.
3. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes, then add the Lillet Blanc, steeped tea liquid, 1/2 oz of basil simple syrup, lemon and lime juice. Shake the mixture for 20 seconds.
4. Remove the ice from the wine glass and pour the contents of the shaker into the glass.
5. Garnish with a twist of lime & rosemary sprig and enjoy!

Yields: 1 cocktail + 1 cup basil simple syrup.
Note: Remaining simple syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.