Tea and honey go together like peanut butter and jelly—it’s one of those familiar pairings that just works. What about tea and cocktails though? That pairing might not be as familiar, but it’s a must try if you're a tea lover or cocktail connoisseur, or both. 

We were thrilled when the local Colorado company Madhava Natural Sweeteners wanted to team up to create a how-to recipe video featuring their organic honey and Teatulia Organic Teas. The Honey Tea Thyme recipe in our new Tea Cocktails cookbook was the perfect fit. Thyme-infused honey syrup gently sweetens the boozy, caramel notes of Tennessee whiskey and the natural apricot and honey notes in our signature Teatulia Black Tea. Combined with fresh lemon juice and poured over ice, this is this is a simple and refreshing tea-infused cocktail that can be enjoyed anytime of year.

Not only are Madhava Organic Honey and Teatulia Black Tea a perfect pairing but our missions are also well aligned. Teatulia Organic Teas are cultivated and sourced direct from our own tea garden to your cup. Likewise, Madhava is dedicated to bringing healthier and sustainably produced sweeteners from family farms to your table. A perfect match if you ask us.

Ingredients:

For honey thyme syrup:

• 1 cup honey (we used Madhava organic raw honey)
• ½ cup water
• handful of thyme sprigs

For strong brewed tea:

• 1 cup water
• 2 pyramid tea bags of Teatulia Black Tea

For each cocktail: 

• ¾ oz. honey thyme syrup
• ¾ oz. lemon juice
• 1½ oz. Tennessee whiskey
• 1½ oz. strong brewed Teatulia Black Tea lemon slice for garnish
• thyme sprig for garnish

Preparation:

For honey thyme syrup: Bring honey, water, and thyme sprigs to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and strain into a clean jar. Let cool then seal and store in the refrigerator for use in cocktails or to sweeten ice tea.

For tea:

Bring water to a boil and pour over tea bags. Steep 3 minutes, strain, and discard tea bags. Let tea cool before using to prepare cocktails.

For each cocktail:

Add honey thyme syrup, lemon juice, whiskey, and tea to a small Mason jar or highball glass. Add ice and stir. Garnish with lemon and thyme if desired.