A rich tea syrup is a great way to add flavor and body to this non-alcoholic drink.
Alcohol has a certain weight in a drink and on your tongue.
When you drink, say, a fruit juice, you know you are drinking a juice.
Elana Lepkowski
Do Not Under-Steep Your Tea Syrup!
However, here youre looking for concentrated flavors.
A short steep time will result in a weaker flavored syrup.
Elana Lepkowski
Dont worrythe longer steep time wont make the drink too bitter.
Any basic tonic would work and still strike the right sweet and bitter notes due to the quinine.
Hibiscus, lemon verbena, or a rooibos tea would bring a complementary flavor and work with the tonic.
Elana Lepkowski
You could also switch out the lemon here for lime or grapefruit.
The more tonic water, the less pronounced the bergamot flavor will be.
If this is too sweet, add in an additional 1/2 ounce of tonic water.
Elana Lepkowski
Bring to a boil, stirring frequently to dissolve sugar.
Remove from heat and add tea bags.
Cover and let steep for 15 minutes.
Remove the tea bags and let the syrup cool for 30 minutes, then transfer to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to one month.
Fill a highball glass with crushed ice.
Gently stir to combine and serve.
