Au Thé Vert (Green Tea Gin) Cocktail Recipe

Au Thé Vert, or Green Tea Gin, is a modern cocktail that reflects the evolution of contemporary mixology toward lighter, more aromatic, and wellness-influenced drinks. Combining the botanical depth of gin with the subtle bitterness and vegetal freshness of green tea, this cocktail sits at the intersection of European gin tradition and East Asian tea culture. Unlike classic historic cocktails, Au Thé Vert emerged during the late 20th and early 21st centuries, when bartenders began experimenting with tea infusions, lower alcohol serves, and refined flavour balance. Elegant yet approachable, it is often served as a refreshing aperitif, appealing to drinkers who appreciate nuance over intensity and botanical harmony over sweetness.

The Au Thé Vert cocktail is defined by clarity, balance, and restraint, making it a standout example of modern gin-based mixology. At its core, the drink pairs a high-quality London Dry or contemporary botanical gin with freshly brewed green tea, most commonly sencha or jasmine green tea. These teas provide gentle tannins, grassy notes, and a soft bitterness that complements juniper, citrus peel, and herbal botanicals without overpowering them.

Visit the Fossil Coast Drinks Shop

A classic Au Thé Vert recipe typically includes gin, cooled green tea, fresh lemon juice, and a light sweetener such as simple syrup or honey syrup. Some variations introduce elderflower liqueur or yuzu for additional floral or citrus complexity, but the defining characteristic remains subtlety rather than intensity. The cocktail is usually shaken lightly or stirred to preserve delicacy, then strained into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass.

Serving plays an important role in the experience. Au Thé Vert is best served well-chilled, with no ice in the glass, allowing its aromatics to open gradually. Garnishes are minimal and purposeful, often a lemon twist, a thin cucumber slice, or even a single green tea leaf, reinforcing its clean aesthetic. As a low to moderate alcohol cocktail, it works particularly well as an aperitif or early evening serve.

Ultimately, Au Thé Vert represents a shift in cocktail culture toward mindfulness, freshness, and cross-cultural inspiration, offering a sophisticated alternative to sweeter or spirit-forward gin drinks.

Au Thé Vert (Green Tea Gin)

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 oz of London dry gin

• 3/4 oz of lemon juice

• 1/2 teaspoon of Bénédictine

• 1 dash of orange flower water

• 2.5 oz Jasmine tea (Pre-brewed and chilled)

Assembly

Brew the Jasmine tea in hot water for 4 minutes. Add cold water and strain into a sterile container and store in the fridge until cold. Add all ingredients to a chilled highball glass with ice cubes and stir. Garnish with jasmine flowers and a slice of lemon.