This Cherry Earl Grey Milk Tea is a delightful blend of fruity, floral, and creamy flavors that makes for the perfect cozy drink. The richness of Earl Grey tea combines beautifully with the sweetness of fresh cherries, while the milk adds a smooth, velvety texture, and a touch of vanilla brings it all together. Whether served hot for a relaxing afternoon or iced for a refreshing treat, this beverage will definitely hit the spot.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how this recipe marries the elegance of Earl Grey tea with the sweet, tart notes of cherries. It’s not only a refreshing beverage, but it’s also incredibly easy to make, with minimal time and ingredients. The vanilla syrup adds a touch of sweetness, and the option to adjust the cinnamon gives it a lovely, warm spice kick. Plus, it can be enjoyed hot for those cozy days or served over ice for a light, cool treat.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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1 Earl Grey tea bag (or 1 tsp loose leaf Earl Grey tea)
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1 cup water
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½ cup milk (dairy, almond, oat, etc.)
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4–5 fresh cherries (pitted and halved)
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1–2 tsp vanilla syrup (adjust to taste)
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1 cinnamon stick (optional)
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Ice (optional for iced version)
Directions
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Simmer the Cherries: In a saucepan, heat fresh cherries with a small amount of water over medium heat until the cherries soften and release their natural sweetness. This should take around 2-3 minutes.
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Brew the Tea: In a separate pot, bring water to a boil. Add the Earl Grey tea bag (or loose leaf) and let it steep for 3-5 minutes. The longer you steep it, the stronger the flavor will be.
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Infuse the Milk: While the tea brews, gently warm the milk in the saucepan with the cherries. If you want an extra warm touch, add a cinnamon stick to infuse a spicy note.
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Sweeten the Blend: Stir in 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla syrup to the milk-cherry mixture, adjusting the sweetness to your taste.
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Combine and Strain: Once the tea is ready, pour it into a mug. Strain the cherry-infused milk mixture over the tea, pressing the cherries with a spoon to release all their juice.
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Enjoy Hot or Iced: Serve immediately as a warm drink, or let it cool down and pour over ice for a chilled option.
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Garnish: For an extra special touch, garnish your drink with a fresh cherry or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes one serving and takes about 10 minutes in total—5 minutes for prep and 5 minutes for cooking. It’s quick enough for an afternoon pick-me-up or a simple after-meal treat.
Variations
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Tea Swap: You can replace the Earl Grey tea with other teas such as black, green, or oolong for a different flavor profile.
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Milk Options: If you’re dairy-free, almond, oat, or coconut milk work beautifully in this recipe.
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Sweetener Alternatives: Feel free to adjust the sweetness by using honey, maple syrup, or stevia instead of vanilla syrup.
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Iced Version: For an iced version, allow the drink to cool to room temperature before adding ice, or use cold milk and chilled tea for a faster method.
Storage/Reheating
If you happen to have leftovers, store the Cherry Earl Grey Milk Tea in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. To reheat, gently warm it on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring well to combine the ingredients. If serving cold, just pour it over ice and enjoy!
FAQs
Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh ones?
Yes, frozen cherries work perfectly fine. Simply simmer them the same way as fresh cherries, and you’ll get that same sweet, fruity flavor.
Can I use a different type of milk?
Absolutely! You can substitute the milk with any non-dairy alternatives such as almond, oat, or coconut milk, which will still give you a creamy and delicious result.
How do I make this tea less sweet?
If you find the vanilla syrup too sweet for your liking, you can reduce the amount of syrup or replace it with a lighter sweetener like honey or stevia.
Can I make this drink in advance?
While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can make the cherry milk mixture and the tea in advance, store them separately in the fridge, and then combine them when ready to serve.
Can I add other flavors to this tea?
Yes, feel free to get creative! A splash of almond extract, orange zest, or even a dash of nutmeg would make delicious variations to this Cherry Earl Grey Milk Tea.
Conclusion
I love how simple yet flavorful this Cherry Earl Grey Milk Tea is. With just a few basic ingredients, you can create a luxurious drink that’s perfect for any time of the day. Whether I’m in the mood for something warm or chilled, this drink never disappoints. I’m sure it will become a new favorite in your tea rotation too!
Print
Cherry Earl Grey Milk Tea
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
Description
A comforting and elegant tea blend featuring the citrusy notes of Earl Grey, the rich sweetness of cherries, and a creamy vanilla finish. Perfect for a cozy afternoon treat.
Ingredients
1 Earl Grey tea bag (or 1 tsp loose leaf Earl Grey tea)
1 cup water
½ cup milk (dairy, almond, oat, etc.)
4–5 fresh cherries (pitted and halved)
1–2 tsp vanilla syrup (adjust to taste)
1 cinnamon stick (optional)
Ice (optional for iced version)
Instructions
Simmer the Cherries: In a saucepan, heat fresh cherries with a small amount of water until they soften and release their natural sweetness.
Brew the Tea: Steep Earl Grey in freshly boiled water for 3-5 minutes.
Infuse the Milk: Gently warm the milk in the saucepan with the cherries, adding a cinnamon stick for a touch of spice.
Sweeten the Blend: Stir in vanilla syrup, adjusting the amount to suit your taste preference.
Combine and Strain: Pour the brewed tea into a mug and strain the cherry-infused milk mixture over it, pressing the cherries to release all their juice.
Enjoy Hot or Iced: Serve immediately as a warm drink or allow to cool and pour over ice for a refreshing twist.
Garnish: Top with a fresh cherry or a dash of cinnamon for an extra special touch.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
