Here at 7x7, we love tea. So, when we found out that Bay Area bartenders were adding tea to their cocktails, well, we just had to get the recipes. Spicy, herbal, and good-for-you, make these boozy cocktails your new nightcap. 

Yshad, C, Jasper’s Corner Tap 

2 oz El Jimador Blanco Tequila

¾ oz chamomile tea syrup*

¾ oz fresh squeezed lime juice

2 dashes of orange bitters

¾ oz egg whites

2 slices green apple

1. *Make chamomile tea and add equal parts sugar to tea (for example: six cups of tea, six cups sugar, six tea bags).

2. Place the tequila into a shaker and add the chamomile syrup, one dash of orange bitters, egg whites and lime juice.

3. Dry shake the ingredients (a dry shake is without ice, which helps to create a froth with the egg whites, adding to the aesthetic and texture).

4. Add two slices of apple and ice then shake again.

5. Double strain (strain with a hawthorn strainer and a tea strainer to prevent lots of ice from entering the drink) into a chilled coupe glass.

6. Garnish with two apple slices and place a dash of orange bitters in a bar spoon to gently spread over the egg whites.

(The Chai-Gueverra, photo courtesy of Spoonbar)

Chai Guevara, Spoonbar

¾ oz lemon juice

2 oz Coconut Chai infused tequila*

¾ oz spiced Macadamia Cordial**

1/2 cup unsalted macadamia nuts, chopped

1/4 cup whole clove

1/4 cup whole all spice

1 ginger root shaved

1 Cinnamon stick

6 limes zested

1 1/2 quart simple

*For Coconut Chai infused tequila: 

1. Mix ¼ cup of coconut chai per bottle.

2. Let infuse for three days. 

** For Macadamia Cordial: 

1. Toast macadamia nuts and spices until fragrant.

2. Add lime zest, ginger and simple syrup.

3. Bring to a boil then let simmer for 20 minutes.

For cocktail: 

1. Combine chai-infused tequila, spiced macadamia cordial and lemon juice in shaker in and fill with ice. 

2. Shake and strain into a martini glass.

Bollywood Tea, Myriad Gastro Pub

1 oz Ramos Pinto White Port

1 oz Graham’s Ruby Port

1 oz Soju

½ oz Chai concentrate

½ oz lemon juice

½ oz simple syrup

1 dash pimento bitters

Splash heavy cream

1. Combine all ingredients in shaker and shake.

2. Pour into coupe glass.

3. Garnish with grated cinnamon. 

Darjeeling-Cardamom Bees Knees, Darjeeling Gin 

2 oz Darjeeling Gin 

¾ lemon juice

1/5 oz cardamom-infused honey

1. Infuse the honey by adding the cardamom and gently stirring.

2. Close container and place in the sun.

3. Turn once a day until desired flavor.

4. Combine all ingredients into a shaker tin, add ice and shake.

5. Strain into a coupe.