Picture this: the Lagos sun blazing overhead, laughter echoing from balconies, and sweat trickling down brows. What’s the surest way to turn a sweltering afternoon into pure bliss? An ice-cold cocktail swirling gently in your glass! When the vibrant flavours of iced tea tango with the spirited kick of a cocktail, you’re not just beating the heat—you’re toasting to “the good life,” Naija-style. This season, refresh your palate with these adventurous tea-based cocktails, perfect for poolside escapes, Sunday brunches, or impromptu garden parties. Raise your glass—enjoyment no dey tire person!
Summer Cocktail Hour
Four Red Fruits Tea Cocktail With Sorbet
Did you know? Adding sugar to your sorbet keeps the ice crystals small and smooth for that melt-in-your-mouth magic.
Four Red Fruits Tea Cocktail With Sorbet
Ingredients
Sorbet Ingredients
- 150ml cranberry juice
- 30ml sugar
- 15ml Twinings Four Red Fruits tea brewed and cooled
Cocktail Ingredients
- 150ml Twinings Four Red Fruits tea, brewed and cooled
- 300ml soda water
- 150ml cranberry juice
- 45ml – 90ml berry liqueur (optional) or
- 45ml – 90ml Gin (optional)
- Fresh berries to serve
Instructions
Sorbet
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Combine cranberry juice, sugar, and cooled tea. Pour into a shallow bowl, place in the freezer, and let it freeze until set but still scoopable.
Cocktail
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Mix the tea, soda water, cranberry juice, and your spirit of choice. Pour into tall glasses. Scoop sorbet on top for a frosty crown.
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Scatter fresh berries and enjoy immediately.
Pure Rooibos Tea Cocktail With “Naartjie” And Honey
Did you know? Rooibos has a legendary reputation in Africa for its antioxidants—almost like small small bodyguards for your cells!
Ingredients
- 300ml Rooibos tea brewed and cooled
- 300ml lemonade
- 30ml honey
- 20ml naartjie rind
- 45ml-90ml citrus liqueur (optional) or
- 45ml-90ml rum (optional)
- Ice to serve
- Thyme to serve
Instructions
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Start by filling your favourite glass with plenty of ice. O di essential!
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Blend the rooibos tea, lemonade, honey, naartjie rind and your chosen spirit. Stir until combined.
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Gently bruise fresh thyme and drop in for that herby finish.
Indian Chai Tea Cocktail
Did you know? “Chai” in India simply means “tea”—but with bold spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves, every cup is an aromatic journey. Imagine the Okada ride of teas—fast, spicy, unforgettable!
Ingredients
- 300ml Twinings Indian Voyage chai tea brewed and cooled
- 300ml ginger ale
- 45ml – 90ml ginger liqueur (optional) or
- 45ml – 90ml sake (optional)
- Fresh lavender
- Fresh mint
- Fresh ginger
- Ice to serve
Instructions
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Pack your glass with ice—no dulling!
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Mix together the cooled chai tea, ginger ale, and the alcohol if you like. Stir gently.
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Deck with fresh mint, lavender, and slices of ginger.
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Extra kick? Add a splash of aniseed liqueur—for those with bold hearts!
Peach And Cherry Blossom Green Tea Cocktail
Mixologist’s Tip: Can’t find cherry blossoms? Violas step in just fine. As Lagosians say, “No condition is permanent—just improvise!”
Ingredients
- 300ml Twinings Peach and Cherry Blossom Green tea brewed and cooled
- 300ml lemonade
- 45ml – 90ml peach liqueur (optional) or
- 45ml – 90ml vodka (optional)
- Fresh mint
- Fresh jasmine or blossoms
- Fresh peach or nectarine
- Ice to serve
Instructions
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Fill glasses with enough ice to keep your drink chilly, even in Ajegunle sun.
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Mix the green tea, lemonade, and spirit (if desired). Stir well.
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Garnish creatively with mint, blossoms, and juicy peach slices. Serve sharp sharp.
Pomegranate, Raspberry And Strawberry Green Tea Cocktail
Did you know? The humble tea leaf grows into both your typical “black tea” and the “green tea” in this cocktail. Talk about versatility!
Ingredients
- 300ml Twinings Pomegranate, Raspberry and Strawberry Green Tea
- 300ml tonic water
- 45ml – 90ml Pomegranate liqueur optional (or)
- 45ml – 90ml gin optional
- Fresh berries and pomegranate to serve
- Ice to serve
Instructions
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Fill a glass with ice for maximum coolness.
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Combine the green tea, tonic, and spirit if desired. Stir gently.
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Top with an avalanche of fresh berries and pomegranate seeds. Chop knuckle—you’ve just stepped up your cocktail game!
English Breakfast Tea Cocktail
Mixologist’s Tip: Before adding your herbs, bruise them lightly to unlock deep flavours—the way pepper unlocks that party jollof rice!
Ingredients
- 300ml English Breakfast Tea brewed and cooled
- 300ml lemonade
- 45ml – 90ml clear coconut liqueur (optional) or
- 45ml – 90ml vodka (optional)
- Fresh coconut to serve
- Fresh blueberries
- Fresh thyme
- Ice to serve
Instructions
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Add ice to glass till full—as if you want to chase away the afternoon heat.
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Mix tea, lemonade and coconut liqueur or vodka (if using). Swirl gently.
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Top with coconut slivers, blueberries and bruised thyme for aroma.
Must-Have Accessories
Recipes and Photography courtesy of Twinings
Craving more? Try your hand at low-calorie summer cocktails or explore our collection of inventive mocktails for those without a taste for alcohol.
Ready to take your summer sipping game to the next level? Have you got a family “secret” cocktail recipe, childhood drink memories, or even a food tradition woven into your heritage? We’d love to shine the spotlight on authentic Nigerian and African food stories from everyday people—you!
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Now over to you: Which tea cocktail speaks to your spirit? Have you tried a “Nigerian twist” on any classic? Drop your own tips or questions below and join the discussion!
