Yaupon Tea
If you're a tea-drinking locavore living in Florida, you should know about Yaupon.
Easy
10 MIN
If you are new to the flavor of yaupon, experiment with the amount of tea leaves used in the simple syrup to get the desired level of strength.
Ingredients
SERVINGS: 1 Cocktail
For the rich yaupon simple syrup
- 1/2 cup native yaupon tea leaves
- 1-1/2 cups boiling water
- 1-1/2 cups demerara sugar
For the cocktail
- 1/2 ounce rich yaupon simple syrup
- 4 dashes chocolate bitters
- 1 ounce Two James Catcher’s Rye Whiskey
- 1 ounce Santa Teresa 1796 Solera Rum
- Ice cubes
- Orange peel
- Filthy dark cherry
Instructions
To make rich yaupon syrup:
1. Add yaupon tea leaves to boiling water. Remove from heat and let steep at least 5 minutes (longer for a stronger tea flavor).
2. Strain and dissolve demerara sugar in the liquid, then cool until ready to use.
To make cocktail:
3. Stir ingredients except garnishes in mixing glass with regular ice cubes. Strain over a large cube in old fashioned glass or tumbler.
4. Twist orange peel to express essential oils over top of cocktail and garnish with dark cherry.
Know Your Food
