My habit of sipping green tea began years ago when I lived in Japan. Green tea is the gateway tea to matcha, the more intensely flavored powdered version that’s used in traditional tea ceremonies. Though still used in tea ceremonies to facilitate mindfulness and mental clarity, health enthusiasts have embraced this powerful green dust for its many nutritional benefits, from heart health and cancer fighting abilities to inflammation relief and improved brain function. It may even help you shed those unwanted pounds and boost your metabolism. That alone is enough to make me chug the green stuff all day long. Many health experts say to aim for 5 cups a day of green tea, which contains about 20 mg of caffeine per cup as compared to matcha's 70 mg and coffee’s 100 mg. As 5 o’clock rolls around, here are some delicious ways to get that last shot of healthful green tea. It’s what I like to call Matcha Mixology. Below are 4 tasty matcha green tea cocktail recipes that are perfect any time of year. Dare I call them "healthy" cocktails?
Note: when buying match powder, look for a high-quality, organic one for maximum health benefits and flavor. I like this one.
Matcha Flip
2 ounces of sake
1 ounce of St~Germain elderflower liqueur
1/2 ounce coconut & matcha power syrup
1 whole egg
Add all the ingredients to a shaker with no ice to emulsify the egg, then add ice, shake vigorously, and strain into a coupette.
Add a pinch of matcha powder as a garnish.
Goodnight Julep
Created by Nitecap
3 oz Sparkling Wine
1.5 oz Chamomile infused Encanto Pisco
0.25 oz St. Germain elderflower liqueur
1 tsp. Cane Syrup
2 dashes Cecil & Merl Matcha Bitters
5-6 Mint Leaves
Take your julep tin cup and rub the mint leaves around the glass. Discard mint.
Add all ingredients and swizzle with crushed ice. Top with more crushed ice and garnish with a lavish mint bouquet, matcha powder and powdered sugar.
Green in the Afternoon
1/2 ounce St~Germain elderflower liqueur
1/4 ounce limoncello
2 dashes of absinth
Pinch of matcha power
Champagne or dry sparkling wine
Add the first four ingredients to a champagne flute, then top with champagne. Gently stir and serve.
Green Blossom (on right)
3/4 ounce tequila
3/4 ounce St~Germain elderflower liqueur
1/2 ounce matcha power mixed with water (1 to 1)
1/4 ounce lemon juice
1/2 cloudy apple juice
Green apple for garnish
Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake, then serve on the rocks. Garnish with green apple fan.
Recipes courtesy of St-Germain Global Ambassador, Camille Ralph Vidal.
