Overstory Toddy

As a lover of all things relating to tea, I’m always excited by the opportunity to incorporate some of my favorite tea producers into my cocktails. The Overstory Toddy, developed by Harrison Ginsberg (bar director at New York City’s Overstory, Saga, and Crown Shy) is a soul-soothing tea-based cocktail that’s light on the booze but packed with smoky sweetness. Benedictine and vanilla syrup make for a truly silky mouthfeel, while the acidity and brightness of verjus cuts through the sweetness. A backbone of Irish whiskey keeps things serious. — Oset Babür-Winter

Frequently asked questions

What is Benedictine?

Made from a Cognac base and sweetened with honey, Benedictine has a luscious, pleasant sweetness against an array of earthy, herbal, floral, and gently bitter flavors. 

How else can I use Benedictine?

Once you’ve added Benedictine to your bar cart, you’ll be able to make classic cocktails like a Vieux Carré or Singapore Sling.

What vanilla syrup should I use?

For this cocktail, we prefer to use Toriani vanilla syrup, which you can also use as a sweetener in your next latte. 

What is Earl Grey tea?

Earl Grey is a black tea that is typically flavored with bergamot. "The flavor profile comes across very floral, with a distinct lemony citrus and a little bit of grapefruit,” says Todd Chatterton, former director of coffee and tea at New York's Eleven Madison Park.

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

While you only need a tiny bit of verjus to make this toddy, you’ll be surprised by how useful it is to have a bottle in your fridge. I like to use verjus — which is made by pressing unripe wine grapes harvested early in the growing season — in salad vinaigrette, to deglaze my pan when I’m making beef stew, or even as a mignonette for oysters. Verjus is also a wonderful non-alcoholic offering when topped with club soda or seltzer.