The Mad Hatter's Tea

Pulled this tea for the January sipdown prompt items “an Earl Grey” and “a tea that reminds you of an alcoholic beverage.”

This is an extra lemon-citrusy Earl Grey with ginger and rum flavoring. I rarely taste alcohol flavor essences in tea (I’m not a drinker of such beverages due to health reasons, which probably makes that even more difficult for me) but I am getting that sort of “dry” alcohol note here… I think the citrus really highlights that certain taste for me, as I sometimes get those vibes from grapefruit teas, and the lemon/bergamot combo does have somewhat of a grapefruit flavor note. I love the tartness of the lemon and bergamot here, it’s a very bright, puckery citrus which I personally love. While I’d expect more of a “lemon ginger” flavor profile, I’m actually finding the ginger a very mild flavor here. The black tea is the malty sort of base one would expect under begamot. It does come off a little drying, but I think that’s more from the citrus/rum than the tea and sort of plays into that “alcohol vibe” for me.

I’m enjoying this one! The citrus may be a little too sour/tart for others, I suspect, but since I’m the Hibiscus Queen and love those profiles, I really dig it.

This tea had grown on me. I wasn’t initially a fan, but I like the twist on an EG (ginger + lemon), and it’s pretty flavourful. Upping rating a bit (70-75), as I’ve actively chosen this tea a couple times now.

Mastress Alita’s sipdown challenge Monday, August 9th: National Book Lovers Day Tea #1

What a fun challenge day.  I do love a good book.  This tea seemed fitting as I hadn’t tried it yet – thanks AJRimmer!   At the beginning of the mug, I am tasting hints of rum but then somehow as it cools it turns into basil, and I’m not really sure where that is coming from.  I’m not tasting too much bergamot or lemon verbena or even ginger.  The black tea isn’t standing out to me at all, but I know 52Teas uses the good stuff, but it doesn’t really taste like Assam or Keemun to me.  Maybe the blank slate of what is for me a typical Ceylon.  I tried to see how old this tea is on the Steepster page, but I’m not seeing a date (which I always appreciate for 52Teas blends since they only come around once in a while. Though there is a note from Anne from two years ago – wow time flies.)   I guess the Mad Hatter would say I’m mad for mostly getting basil from this.   Or that I’m mad for waiting too long to try teas.  The second steep is more robust and like a cup of Earl but nothing too special – just a solid Earl.  So it’s almost like the flavors flipped between steeps.
Steep #1 // 1 1/2 teaspoons // 20 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // just boiled //  4-5 min

AJRimmer Advent Day 7

I’m drinking this with one of those seasonal white fudge covered oreos. God they are decadent, but I can’t resist buying a pack every few years. I totally get the bergamot lemon flavors and behind that is a little ginger. The ginger has that aged quality to it where it doesn’t have the bite. My cup has cooled a little and the citrus seems a little sharper than when it was hot. I wonder what about this tea inspired the name. Is the Mad Hatter fond of ginger? Was there an EG reference in the books? Things to ponder as I near the bottom of this cup!

Thanks to amandastory516 for giving me the chance to try this flavor that I missed! The strongest flavor seems to be the earthy lemon. I would have preferred more bergamot, but it does make an interesting flavor combination. I decided to have it without milk because I wanted to make sure I could taste all the delicate floral flavors. I enjoy the black base that’s used here, and though this isn’t one I’d be in a hurry to have again, it actually is pretty fresh-tasting and good. I wish I could have tasted some of the rum flavor though.

This tea is bergamot-forward, but the lemon myrtle and ginger are right behind! I think this is the first tea I’ve had with bergamot that doesn’t quite seem like an earl grey to me, not that there’s anything wrong with earl grey. It’s a different blend entirely, and I like it. It’s perfect for enjoying with friends who are a bit mad.

It is a very-very well balanced tea: bergamot, ginger, and lemon complement each other very well. But it also a very forgettable and unremarkable drink and I do not know why. Maybe the tea base should be more defined and assertive, or maybe it was designed to be taken with milk and sugar (and I always drink my tea straight).

In any case, despite the obvious skill and thought that went into creating this blend it did not click with me.

I cold-brewed this one overnight last night – and as a cold-brew, this one positively shines! Absolutely delightful to drink. The bergamot mellows and melds with the lemon to offer a bright, citrus-y flavor that’s pleasantly tart but not sour – the rum and the subtle kick of ginger softens the sour notes – to create a very pleasant flavor.

Really nice.