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This delightful Cherry Earl Grey Milk Tea blends the bright bergamot flavor of Earl Grey with juicy cherries and smooth milk. It's a cozy drink that feels both classic and fresh at the same time. You'll taste different layers with each sip—from the citrusy start to the deep cherry taste that sticks around after you swallow.
While trying different ways to make this, I found that warming the cherries a bit helps bring out their sweetness and makes the flavor more interesting. Even my friend who usually only drinks plain tea couldn't help asking for another cup.
Key Ingredients
- Earl Grey Tea: Go for something with a strong bergamot flavor. Loose leaves give you the best taste, but good quality bags will do the job too.
- Cherries: When you can get them, fresh cherries bring the brightest flavor. If you use preserves instead, pick ones without extra flavorings.
- Milk: Whole dairy milk makes it super creamy, but any non-dairy option works great too.
- Vanilla Syrup: Brings a touch of sweetness and makes both the tea and cherry flavors pop. You can buy it or make your own at home.
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Making Your Drink
- Getting Cherries Ready:
- For fresh cherries, take out the pits and cut them in half. Put them in a small pot with some water. Heat them up slowly while crushing them to get all the juice out. Pour through a strainer and keep the juice.
- Making Your Tea Base:
- Get fresh water to just boiling. Take it off the heat and wait half a minute. Put in your Earl Grey tea and let it sit for 4 minutes exactly. Take out the tea without squeezing it so it won't taste bitter.
- Fixing Your Milk:
- While your tea sits, warm up your milk in another pot. Don't let it get too hot—just warm. Mix in the vanilla syrup until it's all blended. If you're using a cinnamon stick, let it hang out in there during this step.
- Putting It All Together:
- Pour your cherry juice into your cup first. Then slowly add your tea. Last, pour in your warm milk mix. Give it a gentle stir to mix everything up.
My grandma got me into Earl Grey when I was little, and this drink always takes me back to her kitchen. She always told me that taking your time was the secret to great tea—rushing any part would mess up the whole thing.
Getting The Timing Right
The timing really matters for this drink. I've learned that waiting those 30 seconds after boiling the water keeps the tea from getting bitter. And warming the milk slowly keeps it nice and creamy without that weird skin forming on top.
Changing With The Seasons
During hot months, I love to make this iced by using twice as much tea (two bags instead of one) so it doesn't taste watery from the ice melting. When it's cold outside, throwing in a cinnamon stick and a tiny bit of cardamom makes it extra cozy and warming.
After trying this recipe tons of different ways, I think it really brings together what's great about fancy Earl Grey and the comfort of sweet cherries. Whether you're having friends over for tea or just taking a quiet break by yourself, this Cherry Earl Grey Milk Tea gives you a little moment of joy in every cup.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I skip fresh cherries?
- Frozen cherries are just as good and can be used straight from the freezer.
- → Which plant-based milk is best?
- Oat milk gives a creamy texture, but any plant-based option works fine!
- → Can this be made sugar-free?
- Substitute regular vanilla syrup with a sugar-free version or leave it out entirely for natural sweetness.
- → How long will it keep?
- It’s best right after making but can stay in the fridge up to a day. You can drink it cold or reheat it.
- → Can I use cherry syrup?
- You could, though fresh cherries taste fresher and aren’t as overly sweet as syrup.