![Anchors Away cocktail](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.foodandwine.com/thmb/_CqitztOKoQYBAY4W4Ja5t8tw4o=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Anchors-Away-VT-MAG-RECIPE-0424-cc69493e25934741acd63ec09acd9c2c.jpg)
Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen
This dangerously drinkable tea cocktail from Point Seven, a seafood restaurant in New York City, is easy to sip with vodka, fresh cucumber, and lime juice. A simple syrup infused with jasmine tea gives the cocktail a beautiful floral aroma and subtle sweetness. To level up your dessert game, try drizzling the leftover tea syrup over vanilla ice cream or buttery pound cake. You can also use the syrup in other cocktails with complementary flavor profiles.
Frequently asked questions
What is jasmine tea?
Jasmine tea is a catch-all term for teas scented with fresh jasmine flowers or jasmine flavorings. The base for jasmine tea is typically green, but white and black teas can also be infused with jasmine. You can find it at most grocery stores (both loose-leaf and bagged) as well as online.
Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen
When bringing the 1/3 cup water to 170°F, note that some water will evaporate as well as absorb into tea leaves. After you bring the water up to temperature, you should have about 1/4 cup brewed tea to match the 1/4 cup sugar needed for a 1:1 simple syrup ratio.
Ingredients
Jasmine Tea Syrup
-
1/3 cup water
-
1/4 cup loose-leaf jasmine tea
-
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Anchors Away Cocktail
-
3 Persian cucumber slices (about 1/4 inch thick), plus cucumber ribbons for garnish
-
1/2 ounce Jasmine Tea Syrup
-
1 1/2 ounces vodka (such as Absolut)
-
1/2 ounce lime juice
-
1/3 cup club soda
Directions
Make Jasmine Tea Syrup
-
Heat 1/3 cup water in a small saucepan over medium until an instant-read thermometer registers 170°F. Place tea leaves in a small heatproof bowl.
-
Add hot water; let steep 3 minutes. Pour tea through a fine wire-mesh strainer placed over the saucepan; discard tea leaves.
-
Add sugar; heat over medium-low, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Remove from heat, and let cool completely, about 20 minutes.
Make Anchors Away Cocktail
-
Muddle cucumber slices in a cocktail shaker. Add vodka, lime juice, and 2 1/2 tablespoons jasmine tea syrup. (Reserve remaining syrup for another use.)
-
Fill shaker with ice; cover with lid, and shake vigorously until well chilled. Strain cocktail into an ice-filled highball glass. Top with club soda. Garnish with cucumber ribbons.