Spiked milk tea is a thing. It’s the cheapest way to get your booze and milk tea fix at the same time.
At Agimat Foraging Bar and Kitchen in Poblacion, mixologist Jay Natividad showed us how to make the #MToTD, one of the tea cocktails presented during the Lipton TeaMagination launch.
Natividad, chef of the New York-inspired NoKal bar and Giffard West Cup 2019 champion, used cold Lipton English Breakfast tea as base. He added one part each of Cointreau Noir and dark rum, fresh milk, cream and Monin toffee. Generous chewy pearls are a must, of course.
Creamy with a kick, #MToTD is a true crowd pleaser from the Diageo World Class 2016 Southeast Asia finalist.
Tea cocktails
The Unilever TeaMagination campaign encourages tea lovers to create cocktails with the Sir Thomas J. Lipton line of premium tea. Steeped and chilled, Lipton’s English Breakfast, Earl Grey Black Tea, Jasmine, Green Tea with Jasmine, Peppermint and Chamomile Infusion are best for partying at home.
“Tea isn’t just for hot drinks,” Agimat chef Kalel Demetrio said. “As a liquid artist, I incorporate different tea infusions in drinks with liquor, I also use Lipton in making kombucha.”
On the second floor of a refurbished bahay-na-bato, Agimat is known for advocating local flavors and ingredients. At the center of the bar is a tree decorated with amulets; the menu is inspired by Filipino elements such as Apoy, Tubig, Lupa, Hangin and Buhay.
Demetrio served several tea-based drinks. Tsa Uggh! had lemongrass, rosemary, calamansi, ginger and mint, while Teamahinasyon had green tea with jasmine, lemon and iced tea foam.
Our favorite is Demetrio’s Agimat ng Kanto—a smoking spectacle of gin, panucha syrup and Lipton-infused vodka.
‘Hugot’ drink
Glenn Talavera, Johnnie Walker World Class Competition finalist and DBWY (Drinks Be with You) pop-up cofounder, created a “hugot” drink called Bakit ’di Cocohanin.
The drink has Lipton tea steeped in coconut water, coconut soda and pineapple purée. It reminds us of a sexy piña colada (and Coco Martin).
Can’t drink? Cove Manila’s Faye Fernando made the “Floral Sunset,” an earthy mocktail with Lipton Earl Grey.
“Tea time” with a punch is great way to entertain friends when you just want to stay in. Here are the recipes; measurements to taste and don’t forget lots of ice.
Floral Sunset by Faye Fernando
Lipton Earl Grey Tea
Monin Orange Spritz
Monin Flower Blossom
Lemon juice
#MToTD by Jay Natividad
Lipton English Breakfast
Cointreau Noir
Dark rum
Fresh milk
Cream
Monin Toffee
Tapioca
Bakit ’di Cocohanin by Glenn Talavera
Lipton tea 14 g pouch and coconut soda
Monin Pineapple puree
Cointreau Guignolet
Honey syrup
Sour salt solution