Smoked Tea-Infused Gin Martini
An elegant martini featuring gin infused with smoky lapsang souchong tea, offering a complex savory aroma. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 12 minutes brings together gin (lapsang souchong infused), dry vermouth, as needed ice cubes for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 160 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2.5 oz gin (lapsang souchong infused)
- 1/2 oz dry vermouth
- as needed ice cubes
- 1 twist lemon twist
- pinch smoked sea salt
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: To prepare the gin infusion, steep 1 tablespoon lapsang souchong tea leaves in 8 oz gin for 2 hours, then strain (can be done ahead).
- Step 2: Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes to chill thoroughly.
- Step 3: Pour 2.5 oz lapsang souchong infused gin and 1/2 oz dry vermouth into the mixing glass.
- Step 4: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds until the mixture is well chilled but not diluted excessively.
- Step 5: Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Step 6: Express the oils from a lemon twist over the surface, twist it, then rim the edge with a light pinch of smoked sea salt before resting the twist on the rim as garnish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoked Tea-Infused Gin Martini take to make?
Total time is about 12 minutes (12 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Smoked Tea-Infused Gin Martini?
Refrigerate any leftover smoked tea-infused gin martini in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smoked Tea-Infused Gin Martini?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Smoked Tea-Infused Gin Martini for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Smoked Tea-Infused Gin Martini?
Cocktails cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.