If you’ve been craving a cocktail that’s both bold and refreshing, let me introduce you to my Bourbon Tea Cocktail with Jasmine Tea. As a self-proclaimed bourbon cocktail expert, let me assume you that this floral bourbon tea cocktail is as beautiful as it is delicious. It combines strong 100-proof bourbon, fragrant jasmine tea, and a citrusy sweet oleo saccharum for a wonderfully floral drink.
Whether you’re hosting a garden party, toasting a special occasion, or just want to sip something a little fancy on a Tuesday night, this bourbon cocktail hits all the right notes, floral, slightly sweet, and perfectly balanced with bourbon’s signature warmth.
Why You’ll Love This Bourbon Sweet Tea Cocktail
- Floral and fragrant – Jasmine tea and Rose Bitters give this drink a light, botanical vibe.
- Perfect balance – The sweetness of the oleo saccharum plays beautifully with the bold bourbon.
- Great for bourbon lovers – A creative twist that’s a little outside the usual bourbon whiskey sour or Old Fashioned.
Preparing Jasmine Tea for Cocktails
Jasmine tea is one of the easiest ways to bring a floral note into cocktails. It is subtle, fragrant, and blends beautifully with bourbon.
Like in my bourbon lemonade and my Kentucky Maid, it combines the depth and warm of the bourbon with light, sweet tea. I can’t recommend it enough!
Steeping Jasmine Tea:
The key to a perfectly balanced floral bourbon cocktail is brewing your jasmine tea just right. Steep at 85°C/185°F long enough to get a strong, fragrant flavor. So for about 3–5 minutes.
Cooling the Tea:
Once your jasmine tea is brewed, let it cool completely before adding it to your cocktail. Hot tea will melt ice instantly and dilute the drink, and it can also throw off the delicate balance of flavors. Cooling first keeps the cocktail crisp, smooth, and perfectly balanced.
What is “Oleo Saccharum”?
Don’t let the name scare you, oleo saccharum sounds like a fancy bartender-only ingredient. You can easily make it at home.
The word literally means “oil sugar,” which is exactly what it is: sugar infused with the natural oils from citrus peels. The result? A super fragrant, flavorful syrup that takes your bourbon tea cocktail (or even something as simple as a lemonade!) to the next level.
Big Batch and Top Tips for Homemade Oleo Saccharum
If you’re going through the trouble to learn how to pronounce Oleo Saccharum, you might as well make a big batch!
- For a big batch of oleo saccharum: Peel 10 lemons and 4 oranges, toss the peels with a pound of turbinado sugar in a vacuum-seal bag, and let it sit for 24 hours. Keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
- Pro Tip: When peeling the zest avoid as much of the white pith as possible.
My Bourbon Punch blends tea with apple cider to make the perfect Holiday Bourbon Punch.
What to Pair with Bourbon Tea Cocktails
When it comes to desserts, lean into citrus and berry flavors that complement jasmine tea’s subtle floral aroma. Lemon bars, buttery shortbread, or anything featuring fresh berries, like my chocolate blackberry sundae and blueberry crumb bars, will highlight the cocktail’s fragrant notes and make each sip taste even more elegant.
The floral undertones in jasmine tea naturally enhance citrus and berry flavors, creating a harmonious experience between the drink and whatever you serve alongside it. It’s a combination that’s as lovely for a spring brunch as it is for an evening cocktail gathering.
Bourbon Tea Cocktail Recipe
One of my favorite bourbon summer cocktails, this bourbon tea cocktail is a wonderful combination of jasmine tea and bitters.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz. 100 Proof Bourbon
- 1 oz. Oleo Saccharum
- 2 oz. Jasmine Tea
- 2 dashes Rose Bitters
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Combine ingredients and ice in a shaker.
- Shake and strain over ice.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 105Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 1g
All amounts are estimates and DailyAppetite takes no responsibility for actual figures since calculations vary by packaging and supplier.
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