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| Smoky Almond Mocktail |
Introduction
I fell in love with this flavor combination in a small, tucked away teahouse in Guangzhou, where the owner served a cold almond drink with a hint of smoky tea. It was both unexpected and deliciously refreshing. The soft, nutty body of the almond was partnered with the savory, campfire smokiness of the smoked tea or roasted grain. The Smoky Almond Mocktail which I am sharing is inspired by those memories: a modern, mimetic take on Chinese almond drinks and the country’s devotion to the intricacies of tea.
For those in the US and Europe, this Easy Smoky Almond Mocktail is great to have as a change from the Iced Latte or regular soda. It is creamy and slightly Smokey, and is light, so it can be served at brunch, as a cocktail alternative, or simply enjoyed on a warm day. You can find below an instruction on how to make Smoky Almond Mocktail which utilizes pantry staples and one unique tea.
Ingredients
-Blanched almonds: 150 grams (round one cup).
-Soaking Warm Water: 500 ml (two cups).
-Blending Cold Water: 700-900 ml (three to 3.75 cups). Fine-tune as needed for richness.
-Smoked black tea or smoked green tea: 1 teaspoon (2 grams) loose or one tea bag.
-Boiling water for steeping tea: 240 ml (one cup).
-Honey, sugar, or maple syrup: 3 tablespoons (45 ml) or more as needed.
-A small pinch of fine sea salt.
-Vanilla extract – optional: ½ teaspoon (2-3 ml).
-Milk or plant milk, optional for the base: 100 ml (one third to ½ cup).
-Cubed ice, for serving.
Preparation Steps
-Steep the smoked tea.
Add the smoked tea to a cup and pour over 240 ml (1 cup) of boiling water. Steep three to five minutes for a strong smoky flavor, then strain and cool.
-Soak the almonds.
In a bowl with a lid, add the blanched almonds and 500 ml of warm water and let sit for 30-60 minutes (or overnight in the fridge) to soften the drink.
-Draining and rinsing of the almonds
After removing the soaked water, the almonds are rinsed under cold water and are placed into the blender.
-Blending with water and tea
For the blend, pour 700ml of cold water into the blender along with the almonds. Add 60-90ml of the tea; it is better to start with the lesser amount, blend on high for 1 to 2 minutes.
-Straining the almond milk
Pour the blend into a pitcher, and work it with a fine mesh sieve. Repeatedly pressing or squeezing to collect as much liquid as can. You may save the pulp for baking or to even add it into smoothies.
-Sweeten and Finish
Also adding a pinch of salt, 3 tablespoons, or 45ml of whichever sweetener you choose, as well as 1/2 a teaspoon of the vanilla extract if you choose to serve. You can add 100ml of any type of milk for smoother texture.
-Pour the drink over ice and add the garnishes.- Pour the cold Smoky Almond Mocktail into the glasses over the slivers of toasted almonds and ice, and finish by squeezing over a twist of lemon for a stunning garnish!
Tips & Variations
-Be it richer or lighter: for a more refreshing almond drink, add more blending water, and for a more creamy mocktail, add less. The optional milk adds a dessert-like quality.
-Tea: for a bold campfire smoke, use lapsang souchong; for a more subtle smoke, use a lightly smoked green tea or a tiny spoon of smoked rice. Start with less and increase to taste.
-Sweetener swap: maple syrup or agave works well, vegan-wise. Brown sugar adds the warmth of molasses. Always sweeten gradually — almond sweetness range can be surprising.
-Flavor lifts: add a splash of citrus (lemon or yuzu) for brightness, or a pinch of toasted sesame for gentle nuttiness. In a festive spirit, douse with a sprig of rosemary and torch for a moment to add the glorious smoky aroma.
Closing
This Smoky Almond Mocktail (Chinese) combines the almond drinks of East Asia and the more playful, modern refreshers into one delightful treat.
When you want a smoky treat that is a little different, this Easy Smoky Almond Mocktail is a good option. It is lightly sweetened, creamy, and the smooth smokey tea finish is intriguing to the palate. It is said that smokey teas, such as lapsang souchong, are over thousands of years old and originate from China. They are said to have bold flavors and are easily preserved. It adds a distinct, buttery essence to a beverage based on nuts. Learn how to make this dish and serve to others, so you can help introduce new recipes to the world. If you have made this Smoky Almond Mocktail and enjoyed it, do not hesitate to bookmark the recipe and modify it to make a personalized mocktail.