Lady Grey

If your plans for the day involve swinging in a hammock or enjoying an outdoor brunch with friends, make a pitcher of this cocktail featuring mint, ginger, citrus, and black tea. If you're going the punch bowl route, consider freezing a large block of ice in a tupperware container the night before you plan to serve.

Fresh Ginger Syrup:
1 cup fresh ginger root, peeled, chopped
1 cup sugar
1 cup boiling water

Earl Grey Tea:
4 cups boiling water
4 Earl Grey tea bags

Cocktails:
3 cups vodka
1½ cups lemon juice, fresh squeezed (10-12 lemons)
1½ cups Fresh Ginger Syrup
4 cups chilled Earl Grey Tea
1 cup fresh mint leaves
8 lemon wheels
large block ice or ice cubes

For the Fresh Ginger Syrup:
Add chopped ginger, sugar, and hot water to a blender. Blend until uniform. Strain with a fine-mesh strainer or through cheesecloth. Use immediately or refrigerate, sealed, up to 1 week.

For the Earl Grey Tea:
Add tea bags to boiling water and steep 2 minutes. Remove tea bags, cover, and chill. Use once chilled, or refrigerate, sealed, up to one week.

For the Cocktails:
Combine vodka, lemon juice, fresh ginger syrup, and tea in a large pitcher or punch bowl. Add ice block (or ice cubes to fill), mint leaves, and lemon wheels. Stir to combine, let steep 2 minutes, and serve.

Makes 1 serving.

Cook's Notes: This drink can also be made alcohol free. For a mocktail, leave out the vodka and add 3 additional cups boiling water and 3 additional tea bags when steeping the tea for a total of 7 cups tea.