All-Natural Tea from Babingtons Blends – In 1893 an entrepreneurial spirit and a splash of Eccentricity, brought Anna Maria Babington and Isabel Cargill together to open Babingtons Tea Rooms in Rome at the foot of Rome’s iconic Spanish Steps.
This was a time when women’s participation in business society was extremely limited and, in a country, where tea could only be found in pharmacies. Their determination made Babingtons a fixture of the city, welcoming artists, aristocrats, actors, and anyone in search of a quiet haven from the hustle and bustle of Rome.
The world has changed much since then, but their legacy has endured the many joys and tribulations to become a truly undeniable affair with tea. Today, British tea lovers can enjoy 10 exclusive teas to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes. Their popular Tea blends include:
English Tea Blend: This classic blend combines black teas from different regions, typically including Assam, Ceylon, and Keemun. It’s a robust and full-bodied brew, perfect for those who enjoy a traditional cup of English tea.
Earl Grey Imperial: A beloved tea variety, Babingtons offers its own take on this timeless blend. It features black tea infused with the fragrant essence of bergamot, a citrus fruit, which gives the tea a distinctive and refreshing flavour.
Babingtons Special Blend: This unique blend is a closely guarded secret of Babingtons Tea Room. It combines a selection of black teas with hints of floral and citrus notes, resulting in a delightful and aromatic cup of tea.
Green Tea Blend: For green tea enthusiasts, Babingtons offers a blend that brings together different varieties of high-quality green teas. It’s a lighter and more delicate option, with a fresh and slightly vegetal taste.
Herbal Infusion: Apart from traditional tea blends, Babingtons also offers herbal infusions for those seeking caffeine-free options. These blends may include ingredients like chamomile, mint, hibiscus, or a combination of various herbs and flowers, providing a soothing and calming experience.
For an exciting twist on your general brew, tea can also be used as an ingredient in cocktails to add unique flavours and aromas. Tea-infused cocktails have gained popularity in recent years, offering a creative twist to traditional cocktail recipes.
Long Island Iced Tea: Despite its name, this cocktail doesn’t actually contain any tea. However, it is named after its resemblance to iced tea. It typically includes a mix of vodka, rum, tequila, gin, triple sec, lemon juice, simple syrup, and a splash of cola.
Earl Grey Martini: This elegant cocktail infuses the floral and citrusy flavours of Earl Grey tea into a classic martini. It usually consists of vodka or gin, Earl Grey tea, simple syrup, and a twist of lemon.
Thai Iced Tea Cocktail: Inspired by the popular Thai beverage, this cocktail combines Thai tea with rum, coconut milk or cream, simple syrup, and a dash of orange liqueur for a tropical and creamy flavour.
Jasmine Tea Collins: A variation of the classic Tom Collins, this cocktail incorporates jasmine tea for a floral twist. It typically includes gin, jasmine tea, lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water.
Green Tea Mojito: This refreshing twist on the Mojito incorporates green tea, giving it a lighter and herbaceous character. It typically contains rum, green tea, fresh mint leaves, lime juice, and simple syrup.
There are countless possibilities for incorporating tea into cocktails. Experimentation with different tea varieties, such as black tea, green tea, or herbal infusions, can lead to exciting and unique flavour combinations in your cocktails.
This summer, why not enjoy a delicious Teatini cocktail featuring Babingtons Blends Award-Winning Earl Grey Imperial Blend?
Earl Grey Teatini
Ingredients
Serves 2
100ml vodka
60ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
1tbsp honey
500ml freshly brewed Babington’s Blends Earl Grey tea, chilled
Ice cubes
Caster sugar, for the glass
Lemon rind, for decorating
Get Making & Shaking
- Boil the kettle and brew your Babington’s Blends Earl Grey as per the instructions. Using the loose-leaf variety will give you maximum flavour. Leave to cool, then chill in the fridge until cold.
- Pour some caster sugar onto a flat plate then rub half a lemon around the edge of two martini glasses. Invert your glasses and dip them in the sugar so the rim is well-coated.
- Add 4-6 ice cubes to a cocktail shared then pour in your vodka, freshly squeezed lemon juice and honey. Add 500ml of your chilled tea into a cocktail shaker.
- Shake well and pour into a jug.
- Using a strainer, pour evenly between the two martini glasses and add a slice of lemon or a curled rind for decoration. Serve immediately.
All Babingtons Blends teas are sustainably sourced, hand blended and 100% natural, with no artificial colourings or flavourings. All their packaging is biodegradable, recyclable, or reusable. Even their pyramid tea bags are plant-based and specially designed to only bring out the best from all their teas.
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Poppy Watt