To us, it's only natural that two of our favorite types of beverages -- tea and alcohol -- would unite together as the tea cocktail.

Cocktails 101
The resurgence of classic cocktails and the invention of new concoctions featuring ingredients such as fresh fruit juices, herbs, and even vegetables is, we think, something to be applauded. Nowadays it's not uncommon to occasionally come across cocktails featuring oolongs or herbal infusions of elderflower or hibiscus.
 After an intensive afternoon of taste testing (truly!) in Las Vegas this spring with our friend Francesco LaFranconi, of Southern Wine and Spirit of Nevada's Academy of Spirits and Fine Service, we offer Francesco's pairing tips.

• Darjeeling with Pisco, a South American brandy
• Royal Yunnan with Godiva dark chocolate liqueur
• Royal Yunnan with wheat whiskey
• Scarlet Glow with Plymouth gin
• Scarlet Glow with Don Julio tequila, which has spice notes
• Scarlet Glow with grapefruit vodka
• Elder Flower with Galliano, an Italian liqueur made with herbs, roots, and spices

Where to Taste
For recipes and additional inspiration, you can also search the comprehensive cocktail reference tool, CocktailDB. Run by Martin Doudoroff and Ted Haigh, the online database is searchable by ingredient name and has a wealth of information, down to what type of glass is ideal for sampling your creation.
 If you are in New York City, there are at least two bar/lounges to sample tea cocktails. Expert mixologist Audrey Saunders' new spot Pegu Club is named after an old British Officers bar in Burma (check out the terrific old maps on her website), and you can enjoy cocktail stylist Julie Reiner's creations in the red-velvet booths at the Flatiron Lounge.

In the meantime, our friend Allen Katz, who is part of the New York City chapter of Slow Food, is a mixologist in his own right, and offers this recipe to make at home.

Scarlet-Tini
 2 oz Plymouth gin
 1/2 oz Scarlet Glow
 1 oz dry vermouth
 In mixing glass, steep tea in gin for approximately 5 minutes. Add vermouth and shake over ice. Strain into chilled cocktail glass and garnish with lemon twist. 

Jasmine Punch
2 oz light rum
 1/2 oz Jasmine Pearls
 Fresh lime juice
 1/2 slice of orange
 Steep Jasmine Pearls in hot water for five minutes. (Enjoy a short cup of tea.) Add steeped tea leaves to rum in rocks glass. Add short squirt of fresh lime juice and handful of crushed ice. Top with splash of tonic and garnish with orange slice.
 Cheers!