Spiced Oolong White Russian Mocktail

I’m not entirely sure what’s in a white russian because you lost me at milk and vodka (bleh), but it’s a grownup twist on comforting flavors, which surprise surprise could entirely do without the vodka. For a perfect comforting drink this holiday season, I made this “white russian” with warm-flavored vanilla oolong tea (courtesy of Herbal Republic), mixed with coconut milk and spiced simple syrup. It tastes like a refined horchata and is oh so nice.

Vegan, alcohol-free, actually consequence-free—tea is reinventing the adult drink game.

*Replace alcohol with tea—live to 100!

Recipe:

3 oz oolong tea, steeped

2 oz coconut milk*

1.5 tablespoons spiced simple syrup

Add Oolong tea, coconut milk, and spiced simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake it up! Pour into a glass on ice. Enjoy.

*This is the type of coconut milk you use for Thai curry. It comes in a can. It is not coconut milk beverage, similar to soymilk for cereal, nor is it cream of coconut—a condensed and sweetened version. This can of coconut milk isn’t sweet and you can find it in the ethnic section of most standard grocery stores.

Spiced simple syrup recipe:

½ cup sugar 

½ cup water 

Spices: cinnamon sticks, cloves, and allspice.  

Boil water, add sugar and whisk until dissolved. Add spices and mix. Let cool overnight, and pour into a bottle or jar.