Nick Blaine Cocktail/Mocktail

Cocktail

3oz smoky scotch
1.5oz allspice dram
1.5oz fresh squeezed citrus juice
0.5oz Earl Grey simple syrup*
dash of orange bitters
Sanpellegrino Tonica Oakwood, to taste

Add all ingredients except the tonic to a shaker with ice (ginger liqueur or amaretto can be subbed for the allspice dram and orange or grapefruit are my favorite citrus juices for this). Shake, strain, and top with tonic (if you can’t find this tonic flavor, skip it & the citrus juice and use Sanpellegrino Aranciata or Orangina - any sparkling orange or grapefruit juice - to replace both).

*To make the simple syrup, stir a cup of sugar into a cup of water in a small saucepan over medium high heat and add 3 tbsp loose leaf Earl Grey (or a handful of teabags). Bring to a boil while stirring, to dissolve the sugar, then lower the heat to a simmer for about 15 minutes until it reduces and thickens. Take the pot off the heat to cool, then strain out the tea leaves (or bags).

Mocktail

3oz lapsang souchong tea
1tsp molasses + dash of allspice
1.5oz citrus juice (grapefruit recommended)
0.5oz Earl Grey simple syrup
a couple drops of alcohol-free orange extract

Mix all ingredients and enjoy. I poured the hot tea over ice in a shaker. You could also chill it first and it wouldn't be as watered down, but then you'd want to mix the Earl Grey simple syrup and molasses in before you chill it (since those will mix much better into hot tea).