The South might be whiskey-dependent when it comes to their cocktails but the region’s iced tea game is on point. Taking note from the time-honored Southern sweet tea, Crescendo Spirits in Eugene, Oregon, puts a citrus-and Northwest-spin on the classic.
Since launching in 2013, the veteran-owned and-operated producer has been focused on organic liqueurs — also sans of GMOs and any artificial ingredients — allowing the all-natural flavors to shine clean, pure and bright, especially in this recipe for limoncello-spiked Raspberry Mint Tea.
“Lemon and tea are virtually synonymous with an iced summertime tea,” says Kyle Akin, the distillery’s co-founder and president. “Lemon combined with raspberry is a very popular combination, and if you drop some mint on top of all that… Mmm.”
A three-step recipe to summertime success, this recipe showcases Crescendo’s flagship limoncello, a lemon-forward sipper as good on the rocks as it is served in this glass.
Raspberry Mint Tea
Makes 1 cocktail
5-6 mint leaves
3 raspberries
1/2 ounce simple syrup
1 ounce raspberry vodka (Akin recommends Wild Roots Raspberry)
1 ounce limoncello
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
Garnish: mint sprig, lemon slice
In a mixing tin, muddle the mint leaves, raspberries and simple syrup together. Add the vodka, limoncello, fresh lemon juice and ice, shake and pour into a tall glass. Fill with fresh ice and garnish with a mint sprig and lemon slice.
