Bartenders warm up to versatility of tea-infused spirits
Tea is increasingly popular as in ingredient various drinks and foodstuffs, from cookies to lattes, but a bartender from Portland, OR is keen on using it to infuse his spirits and to give cocktails more depth. Apparently tea is particularly suited to be infused with spirits in advance, because it is consistent and versatile. Pre-infused spirits also help behind the bar, as they are ready to pour and do not require lengthy mixing like bitters. Justin Diaz, bar manager at Jackknife, suggests infusing a bottle of selected liquor with two teaspoons of tea for 5-7 minutes. He aims to have at least two tea-infused cocktails on the menu at any given time.