Learn how to enjoy authentic "ochawari" (tea with alcohol) at home, a classic izakaya drink. We'll thoroughly explain tea and alcohol combinations, from common ochawari to advanced techniques involving steeping tea leaves directly in alcohol.
What is Ochawari?
Ochawari is a general term for cocktails made by mixing alcohol such as shochu or whisky with tea. Representative examples include ryokucha-hai (green tea highball), oolong-hai (oolong tea highball), and hojicha-hai. It became popular in the 1980s with the widespread availability of canned oolong tea.
How to make basic Ochawari
1. Ryokucha-hai (Green Tea x Shochu)
The golden ratio is 1 part shochu to 2 parts green tea. Pour shochu into a glass filled with ice, add cold green tea, and stir gently. Using green tea brewed from tea leaves offers a fragrance far superior to bottled tea.
2. Hojicha-hai (Hojicha x Whisky)
The roasted aroma of hojicha pairs excellently with the vanilla and caramel notes of whisky. The hot style, adding whisky to warm hojicha, is recommended for cold seasons.
3. Oolong-hai (Oolong Tea x Shochu)
A classic combination with a refreshing taste that pairs well with meals. The subtle bitterness of oolong tea enhances its compatibility with oily dishes.
Advanced: Tea Cocktails by "Steeping" Tea Leaves
In fact, the best way to maximize the components of tea is to "extract them directly with alcohol." It is known that alcohol around 40% vol. is about 1.4 times more efficient than hot water at extracting catechins and theanine.
By steeping tea leaves in your favorite alcohol for about an hour, the umami and aroma of the tea dissolve into the alcohol, creating an authentic tea cocktail at home, just like one from a bar.
Benefits of the steeping method
- Health components such as catechins and theanine are thoroughly extracted
- You can directly enjoy the original aroma of the tea leaves
- Steeping with dried fruits and spices creates original cocktails
For an even easier way to enjoy
With ZEN TEA BREW's craft tea cocktail kits, carefully selected tea leaves from Shizuoka Prefecture, dried fruits, and spices are pre-blended in a teabag. Simply steep it in your preferred alcohol, and a professional-grade tea cocktail will be ready in an hour.