I’m always on the lookout for new and impressive drink recipes, especially teas and cocktails. Today, I came up with a nice one that combines the two into an elegant and refreshing tea cocktail.
My Earl Grey Blood Orange Tea Cocktail is a glowing blend of bold tea, vibrant citrus, and smooth gin.
Perfect for brunch, happy hour, or any gathering, it’s the ultimate way to add a burst of color and elegance to your glass!

Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Romantic and Elegant: The vibrant ruby-red hues of the blood orange juice and the sophisticated blend of flavors make this cocktail a perfect choice for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion, adding a touch of romance and luxury to the celebration.
- Ideal for Gin Lovers: Highlights the botanical notes of gin, complementing the bergamot in Earl Grey tea for a seamless pairing.
- Visually Stunning: The ruby-red glow of blood orange juice and elegant garnishes make this cocktail a true showstopper for any occasion.
- Aromatic Garnishes: Garnishing with mint and blood orange slices adds a fragrant and visually appealing touch that enhances the sensory experience.
- Layered Complexity: Offers a depth of flavor with tea, citrus, and a hint of sweetness, making each sip dynamic and memorable.
Ingredients & Equipment
Earl Grey tea is the foundation of this cocktail, providing a bold, aromatic base with hints of bergamot citrus. Choosing a high-quality loose-leaf tea or premium tea bags ensures the flavors are rich and well-balanced.
The tea should be brewed strong and chilled thoroughly to maintain its depth and prevent the drink from becoming watered down when served over ice.
Freshly squeezed blood orange juice is the star ingredient, offering a vibrant red hue and a sweet-tart flavor that complements the bergamot in Earl Grey tea. It’s important to use fresh blood oranges for their rich color and bright, tangy taste, which are key to the drink’s appeal.
If blood oranges aren’t available, cara cara oranges or regular oranges can work, though they’ll result in a slightly different flavor and appearance.
Gin adds a botanical element, enhancing the bergamot and citrus notes in the tea and juice. A good-quality gin with herbal or citrus-forward flavors will blend seamlessly into the cocktail.
Sugar is used to balance the tartness of the blood orange juice and tea. Adjust the quantity to suit your taste, or substitute with honey or simple syrup for a different layer of sweetness.
For garnishes, fresh blood orange slices and mint leaves add a fragrant, visually appealing touch that elevates the cocktail’s presentation. These small details make the drink feel more luxurious and sophisticated.
As for equipment, you’ll need a kettle or saucepan to brew the tea and a citrus juicer to extract the blood orange juice. A pitcher or large mixing bowl is essential for combining the ingredients. A fine-mesh strainer is useful if you prefer to remove pulp from the juice.
For serving, use your preferred cocktail glasses to showcase the drink’s vibrant color, and ensure you have plenty of ice for a chilled and refreshing cocktail.
Ingredients for 4 servings:
- 2 cups brewed Earl Grey tea (chilled)
- 1 cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice (from about 3-4 blood oranges)
- 1/2 cup gin
- 2 tablespoons sugar (adjust to taste)
- Ice cubes
- Garnish: blood orange slices and fresh mint leaves
How To Make Earl Grey Blood Orange Tea Cocktail
Instructions:
- Brew the Earl Grey Tea
- Steep 2 Earl Grey tea bags (or 2 teaspoons of loose-leaf tea) in 2 cups of hot water for 3-5 minutes. Remove the tea bags or strain the leaves, then let the tea cool down a bit and chill the tea in the refrigerator until cold.
- Prepare the Blood Orange Juice
- Squeeze fresh blood oranges to extract 1 cup of juice. Strain the juice to remove any pulp if you prefer a smoother drink.
- Mix the Cocktail
- In a pitcher, combine the chilled Earl Grey tea, blood orange juice, gin, and sugar. Stir well until the sugar is fully dissolved. Adjust sweetness to your preference.
- Assemble the Cocktails
- Fill four glasses with ice cubes. Pour the tea cocktail mixture evenly into each glass.
- Garnish and Serve
- Garnish each glass with a slice of blood orange and a sprig of fresh mint. Serve immediately and enjoy your Earl Grey Blood Orange Tea Cocktail!
This recipe makes 4 servings but can easily be scaled up for larger gatherings. Adjust the sweetness and gin quantity to suit your taste!
Additional Tips & Variations
- Add Sparkling Water: Top the cocktail with a splash of sparkling water or soda for a fizzy twist, adding lightness and extra refreshment.
- Add Herbs: Enhance the Earl Grey tea by adding a sprig of rosemary or a slice of ginger while it brews for a subtle herbal or spicy note.
- Experiment with Liqueurs: Add a splash of orange liqueur like Grand Marnier or Cointreau to intensify the citrus flavors and add depth to the cocktail.
- Serve it Martini Style: Shake the ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass for a more sophisticated cocktail presentation.
- Infuse the Gin: Infuse your gin with Earl Grey tea beforehand for a double dose of bergamot flavor and a stronger tea note.

Earl Grey Blood Orange Tea Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 cups brewed Earl Grey tea (chilled)
- 1 cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice (from about 3-4 blood oranges)
- 1/2 cup gin
- 2 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- Ice cubes
- Garnish: blood orange slices and fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Steep 2 Earl Grey tea bags (or 2 teaspoons of loose-leaf tea) in 2 cups of hot water for 3-5 minutes. Remove the tea bags or strain the leaves, then let the tea cool down a bit and chill the tea in the refrigerator until cold.
- Squeeze fresh blood oranges to extract 1 cup of juice. Strain the juice to remove any pulp if you prefer a smoother drink.
- In a pitcher, combine the chilled Earl Grey tea, blood orange juice, gin, and sugar. Stir well until the sugar is fully dissolved. Adjust sweetness to your preference.
- Fill four glasses with ice cubes. Pour the tea cocktail mixture evenly into each glass.
- Garnish each glass with a slice of blood orange and a sprig of fresh mint. Serve immediately and enjoy your Earl Grey Blood Orange Tea Cocktail!