Tea-Flavored Mixers For Whisky? Sacrilege!

Most consumers of whisky do not spell it “whiskey” and consider themselves to be above the peasantry that would even think one second about combining a whisky with something clearly as evil as a mixer. But then there are some people out there – and we are not naming names – that seem to enjoy mixing their whisky with something other than air or water. For these people, a company called Benjamin & Blum in the UK has produced a range of bottled teas specifically designed to be mixers for whiskies [and other spirits] or, of course, consumed solo as a tea drink.

B&B’s two primary teas are Darjeeling White Peony with leaves grown at high altitude in Darjeeling and hand-picked once a year and the Connoisseur’s Oolong, grown in New Zealand. Each tea is cold brewed in small batches using Scottish spring water – which might help explain why it could shack up in a glass with whisky – and tweaked with starflower honey and orange.

The Connoisseur’s Oolong is said to complement most whisky styles – including peated whiskies – while the Darjeeling White Peony is said to pair well with brandies and fruity whiskies as well as bourbons and aged rums.

B&B’s teas are available for $35 per bottle.