#CocktailHour: Earl Grey Martini

Since it's my birthday tomorrow, I decided I'd try something a little different and special to celebrate. With that in mind, it's time to act all classy and shit as we settle in for this week's tip and sip...

While the ingredients are fairly simple, the Earl Grey martini does take a bit of time to prepare. Take 1.5 oz of gin, and pour it into a small glass. Take a teaspoon of Earl Grey tea leaves and mix them into the gin. Put this mixture aside to steep for 2 hours.

While waiting for the tea/gin infusion is taking place spread some sugar on a plate. Wet the edge of the glass with a wedge of lemon, then tip your martini glass, and dip it into the sugar to coat the rim of the glass.

Once the tea/gin mixture has steeped, strain it into an ice filled cocktail shaker. Add 1.5 oz lemon juice, and 2 oz of simple syrup (I used grenadine). Shake the shaker until well mixed, then strain it into the sugar rimmed martini glass.

You'd think that with the preparation time involved, this drink would be pretty good.

It's not.

It's actually just slightly more flavorful than a regular martini- but not by much sadly. In fact, after I sipped it, I merely shrugged with indifference, and went and made myself a much more enjoyable Rob Roy.

Due to the two hour prep time, this isn't a drink you're going to order when out and about- or at a friend's party... or your own party for that matter. This is the sort of drink you have when you've committed yourself to having one... or you're doing a review of it for some obscure blog or some shit like that.

Due to the "Meh," flavor and the amount of time you need to invest in it, I have to give the Earl Grey martini an "Ugly".

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