Jade Dew Gin Fizz
A pale jade cocktail pairing Enshi Yulu-infused gin with elderflower and lime — plus a non-alcoholic mocktail version with the same umami-bright character.
Enshi Yulu's clean, umami-sweet profile and striking jade color make it a beautiful base for a delicate cocktail. Infusing gin with the tea for just a short time pulls out its grassy-marine sweetness and pale green hue without dragging in bitterness, which longer infusions of green tea can sometimes do.
Elderflower liqueur is the key supporting player — its floral sweetness complements rather than masks the tea's umami character, while fresh lime juice adds the acidity needed to keep the drink lively rather than flat. A short shake with egg white (optional) gives the fizz a silky, pale foam that shows off the jade color beautifully.
Infusion time is short on purpose: 30–40 minutes is enough to tint the gin and capture Enshi Yulu's sweetness, while longer steeps risk pulling out tannins that would make the cocktail taste muddled instead of clean.
For a non-alcoholic mocktail version, skip the gin infusion and instead cold-brew a strong batch of Enshi Yulu (2 tbsp leaves in 1 cup cold water, 6 hours), then shake that with the same elderflower-style cordial substitute (or a few drops of elderflower syrup), lime juice, and a splash of soda water. The result keeps the same pale jade color and umami-floral balance, just without the alcohol — a sophisticated option for anyone skipping spirits.
Ingredients
- 50ml gin
- 1 tbsp Enshi Yulu leaves (for infusing)
- 20ml elderflower liqueur (e.g. St-Germain)
- 20ml fresh lime juice
- 10ml simple syrup
- 1 egg white (optional, for foam)
- Soda water, to top
- Lime wheel and a few tea leaves for garnish
How to make it
- 1Combine gin and Enshi Yulu leaves in a sealed jar. Let infuse at room temperature for 30–40 minutes, then strain out the leaves.
- 2Add the infused gin, elderflower liqueur, lime juice, simple syrup, and egg white (if using) to a cocktail shaker without ice. Dry shake for 10–15 seconds.
- 3Add ice and shake again vigorously for 15 seconds until well chilled.
- 4Strain into a chilled coupe or highball glass over fresh ice. Top with a small splash of soda water.
- 5Garnish with a lime wheel and a few whole Enshi Yulu leaves floated on top.
Want to learn more about Enshi Yulu? Visit its full profile.
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