Traditional Tea | Merridale Distillery Recipe

The Traditional Tea brings together the warm spice of Merridale Spiced Rhumb, fragrant Earl Grey tea and the bright acidity of fresh lemon, finished with a crisp pour of Traditional Cider. It has all the comfort of a cup of tea, but with a distinctly orchard-inspired twist.

Easy to build right in the glass, this Spiced Rhumb cider cocktail is refreshing enough for a sunny afternoon while the tea, spice and apple flavours make it particularly good as the seasons start to cool.

Quick Recipe

Prep: 5 minutes | Makes: 1 cocktail | Difficulty: Easy | Glass: Can glass or Mason jar | Garnish: Lemon wedge

Ingredients

• 1 oz Cowichan Spiced Rhumb
• ½ oz Earl Grey syrup
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• Merridale Traditional Cider, to top
• Ice
• Lemon wedge, for garnish

Method

Fill your glass with ice. Add the Spiced Rhumb, Earl Grey syrup and fresh lemon juice directly to the glass. Top with Merridale Traditional Cider and give it a gentle stir to combine. Garnish with a fresh lemon wedge.

Why This Cocktail Works

Traditional Tea balances spice, citrus, tea and crisp apple without letting any one flavour take over. Earl Grey brings distinctive floral and bergamot notes, while lemon adds the acidity needed to keep the drink bright. Spiced Rhumb adds warmth and depth, and Traditional Cider lightens everything with fresh apple character and a crisp finish.

The result sits somewhere between a spiced rhumb cocktail, cider cocktail and grown-up iced tea, making it an easy drink to transition from late summer into fall.

Ingredient Spotlight

Merridale Spiced Rhumb

Merridale Spiced Rhumb brings the warming spice at the heart of Traditional Tea. Its rich, aromatic character pairs naturally with the bergamot notes of Earl Grey and gives the cocktail more depth than tea and cider alone. Combined with our Traditional Cider, it creates a cocktail that brings together two sides of Merridale’s orchard-to-glass craft.

Pair It With

The Traditional Tea pairs beautifully with:

• A farmhouse charcuterie board
• Aged cheddar and apple
• Roast pork or pork sausage
• Apple-forward desserts

Variations

Make It Sparkling

Traditional Cider already gives this cocktail a lively finish. For an even lighter drink, increase the cider and serve it in a larger glass over plenty of ice.

Make It Sweeter

Add an extra ¼ oz of Earl Grey syrup for a sweeter drink with a more pronounced tea flavour.

Make It a Batch

For 8 cocktails, combine 8 oz Spiced Rhumb, 4 oz Earl Grey syrup and 8 oz fresh lemon juice in a pitcher and refrigerate until serving. Divide over ice and top each glass individually with Traditional Cider so the cider stays fresh and lively.

Make It More Tea-Forward

Increase the Earl Grey syrup slightly and reduce the lemon juice for a softer cocktail that puts the floral tea notes front and centre.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the Traditional Tea ahead of time?

Partially. Mix the Spiced Rhumb, Earl Grey syrup and lemon juice ahead of time and keep refrigerated. Add the Traditional Cider just before serving.

Can I substitute the Earl Grey syrup?

You can use another black tea syrup, but Earl Grey’s bergamot flavour is a big part of what gives Traditional Tea its character.

Can I make this cocktail for a crowd?

Yes. Batch the Rhumb, syrup and lemon juice ahead of time, then pour over ice and top each cocktail with Traditional Cider as you serve it.

More Merridale Cocktails

If you enjoyed the Traditional Tea, try:

• Mo’Tini
• Raspberry Daiquiri

Visit Merridale

Want to leave the mixing to us? Visit Merridale in the Cowichan Valley to explore our craft cider, small-batch spirits and seasonal cocktails, or stop by the Farmhouse to take home the ingredients and recreate your favourites.