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The Earl of Orange – A Bourbon Cocktail

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Last Updated on October 10, 2023 by Leah Hall

Citrus season is the best season, and we highlight that with these tea cocktails!

 

December is one of our favorite times of the year as cocktail bloggers, because it officially is the start of citrus season! Fresh citrus starts appearing in stores and finding its way into our cocktails. With a bag of fresh oranges in our kitchen, and Christmas coming up, our Earl of Orange cocktail is a perfect sipping orange liqueur cocktail for the season!

 

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Earl of Orange cocktail in rocks glass with cinnamon sticks and rosemary. Earl Gray tea tin and reamer, orange and flowers

Rocks Glasses / Cinnamon Sticks

Earl Grey Cocktail

In many families, giving oranges as a gift at Christmas is part of their family tradition. This hearkens back to the gold, spices and gifts of the Three Kings and the gold that Saint Nick left in people’s stockings. We wanted to capture some of that wonderful flavor of oranges and spice for our Earl of Orange tea cocktails.

 

Likewise we thought a spiced orange syrup would be the perfect starting point.

Spiced orange simple syrup in mason jar with cinnamon sticks and anise with orange, reamer and flowers

Star Anise / Cloves

Our spiced orange syrup is a delicious combination of sweet and spice. Made with fresh orange zest and fresh squeezed orange juice, there is a full bold burst of orange flavor. To bring a nice bit of holiday spice, we added in some traditional Mulling Spice, cinnamon, clove and star anise.

 

The combination of spice and citrus makes for a complex sweet syrup that has an incredible perfume as well.

Tea Cocktail with rosemary, cinnamon sticks, orange and mason jar

What Ingredients are Needed for the Tea Cocktails?

  • Spiced Orange Syrup
    • Cloves
    • Orange Peels
    • Orange Juice
    • Sugar
    • Water
    • Cinnamon
    • Star Anise
  • Earl of Orange Cocktail
    • Earl Grey Tea
    • Orange Juice
    • Bourbon
    • Citrus Bitters
    • Spiced Orange Syrup

 

Bourbon is a wonderful spirit for the winter as it is one of those drinks that warms the body and soul. Bourbon also just happens to pair up really well with orange and spice, so a healthy dram was just what the doctor ordered for this Earl Grey cocktail. Bringing a caramel sweetness and hints of the same spices as our spiced orange syrup, the bourbon just enhanced the festive feel of the spiced orange syrup.

Tea Cocktail in rocks glass with rosemary, cinnamon sticks, orange and Earl Gray tin in back with flowers

What Other Flavors Did We Use?

We needed a way to bring a little balance to the Earl of Orange and temper the sweetness of the spiced orange syrup and bourbon. Rather than go sour, we decided to bring in a little bitterness to the party. Not wanting to lose the bright orange flavor we had, we turned to Earl Grey tea which is made from black tea flavored with bergamot oil which is made from the rind of the bitter orange.

The black tea of the Earl Grey brings a pleasant herbal bitterness that balanced the sweet with hint of bitter while adding another layer of orange flavor.

Earl of Orange Cocktail with rosemary sprig and cinnamon sticks, Earl Gray tea tin, reamer, orange and mason jar

If You Are Looking for More Bourbon, Try These Recipes!

 

The Earl of Orange is a wonderful sipping cocktail full of the flavors of the Holidays, full of bright orange and festive spice. Hints of orange and spice tempt the taste buds and fill your nose with a rich perfume. It feels like Christmas. We hope the Earl of Orange tea cocktails will find a way to your holiday table!

 

Cheers!

 

Also, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and tag #gastronomcocktails so we can see all the wonderful recipes YOU recreate from this site!

 

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Like this recipe? Try these below, too!

Blood orange sidecars in vintage cocktail coupe and garnished with blood orange wheels.Blood Orange Sidecar Cocktail

 

The Scofflaw Cocktail

Other Bourbon and Orange Cocktails

Other Earl Grey Cocktails

orange cocktail in rocks glass with ice ball. Cinnamon sticks, orange, tea canister, flowers in background
Yield: 1

The Earl of Orange - A Bourbon Cocktail

Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes

A delightful combination of Earl Grey tea, spiced orange syrup and bourbon in this cocktail.

Ingredients

Earl of Orange Cocktail

  • 2 ounces bourbon
  • 1.25 ounce spiced orange syrup
  • 1 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 ounce chilled Earl Grey Tea
  • 2 dashes citrus bitters
  • orange twist for garnish

Spiced Orange Syrup

  • 1 whole star anise
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • peels of 1 orange
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 6-8 whole cloves

Instructions

For the Cocktail

Add all ingredients into the cocktail shaker.

Fill shaker with ice.

Shake and strain into a rocks glass over ice.

Express the oils of the orange peel onto the top of the cocktail.

Cheers!

For the Spiced Orange Syrup

Place sugar, water and orange juice into a saucepan and bring to a boil.

While mixture is heating, zest an orange into the saucepan.

Add spices into the mixture.

Once it's boiling, remove from heat and allow mixture to cool for 5 minutes. Remove the orange peels, but leave the spices for 10 more minutes.

Once cool, strain the syrup into an airtight glass jar and store in the fridge.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 257Total Fat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 26mgCarbohydrates: 32.7gFiber: 0.1gSugar: 2.4gProtein: 0.2g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

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megiswell

Tuesday 13th of December 2016

Really, such a genius recipe! Earl Grey Tea would go great with bourbon. I can't wait to try this.

The 'Noms.

Saturday 17th of December 2016

Thanks so much! We thought it was a great combo!

Jeff the Chef

Tuesday 13th of December 2016

That drink sounds delicious.

The 'Noms.

Saturday 17th of December 2016

Thanks! Cheers!

Heather with WELLFITandFED

Monday 12th of December 2016

This sounds really interesting. I might need to try this one on my hubbie. He loves Bourbon!

The 'Noms.

Saturday 17th of December 2016

Thanks! Hope you try it out!

Ali

Monday 12th of December 2016

Love the combination of spices and orange for the simple syrup. This looks so yummy! Maybe a silly question, but how do you express the oil from the orange peel over the cocktail? Just squeezing it or heating it up?

The 'Noms.

Saturday 17th of December 2016

Thanks! We thought it went very well together! Just squeeze the peel over, and you should be good!

Summer Telban (@SummerTelban)

Monday 12th of December 2016

Totally need to make this!

The 'Noms.

Saturday 17th of December 2016

You do! Cheers!

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