June and strawberries just go together which is why today’s Tuesday Tea features one of our favorite teatails, the We Be Jammin’. This light and delicious teatail is rich in sweet, jammy strawberry flavor. It’s gorgeous in the glass and perfect for summer.

Wild Strawberry, from Ohio Tea Co., is luscious with rosehips, hibiscus, apple pieces, strawberry pieces, and raspberry leaves. It’s perfect for icing. As a tea enthusiast, I insist that my teatail recipes highlight the tea, as all tea cocktails should, instead of boozing up the drink resulting in a beverage top-heavy in alcohol(s) wherein the tea is reduced to nothing but a color.

We Be Jammin’

6 c fresh water

6 t Wild Strawberry tea

1 c demerara sugar

1 c fresh water

Smirnoff strawberry vodka

Bring the water to 212° F in a stainless-steel pot on the stove. While the water heats, measure out the Wild Strawberry tea into a large, mesh tea ball. When the water reaches the appropriate temperature, place the tea ball in it and cover the pot with a lid. Remember to turn off the heat below the pot (gas stove) or remove it from the burner (electric stove).

Allow the tea to brew for six hours, during which time it will also come down to room temperature. You may swirl it gently, otherwise do not remove the lid from the pot. The long, undisturbed brewing time ensures the tea is strong enough to stand up to the liquor you will add later without being bitter.

While the tea is brewing, add the raw sugar to one cup of water in a stainless-steel pot and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil over a medium-high heat, stirring gently, until a rich syrup has formed. Cover the pot with a lid and allow the syrup to cool to room temperature. The syrup can be stored for up to a week in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

When the tea has brewed, you may swirl the tea ball once to ensure evenness of color. Remove the tea ball and discard the expended tea. Do not press out the contents into the brewed tea. Pour the tea into a glass pitcher, cover with plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator until the tea is completely chilled.

To prepare:

You can perform a dry shake with a cocktail shaker if you choose. I recommend Viski products as they are quality and a great place to start building your personal bar. You can, however, achieve the same results, which is to thoroughly combine the Smirnoff and chilled syrup, using a glass and a fork.

Measure ½ – 1 oz. Smirnoff strawberry vodka into a cocktail shaker or short glass. Add ½ – 1 oz. of the rich syrup. Shake or stir until the liquor and syrup are completely combined. Set aside.

Choose a glass tumbler that is at least 12 oz. in size. Add four to six ice cubes depending on the size of your glass and cubes. Pour the chilled Wild Strawberry tea into your glass to within one inch of the rim. Top with the Smirnoff/sugar mixture. Stir gently and enjoy.

Now that’s something to be proud of!