Among alcoholic beverages mixed with tea, such as Japanese tea or oolong tea, Senchado Tokyo particularly recommends using single-origin sencha for a green tea whisky highball. Both whisky and sencha are prized for their delicate aromas and flavors. We asked Mr. Ihara, a former bartender and current manager of Tokyo Saryo, about the best way to make a truly delicious green tea highball. This blend, which enhances the unique characteristics of both ingredients, will bring a new taste experience to sencha and whisky enthusiasts alike.
What is a Whisky Tea Highball?
A tea highball refers to any alcoholic drink mixed with Japanese tea, oolong tea, or other types of tea. There are no restrictions on the type of tea used; drinks made with hojicha, jasmine tea, or green tea are all considered tea highballs. Whisky, with its high alcohol content of 40%, was traditionally consumed straight, on the rocks, or mixed with soda or water. The popularity of whisky tea highballs grew around 1980 when delicious canned and bottled oolong tea became widely available. The easy availability of tasty tea made it possible for even those with low alcohol tolerance to enjoy whisky, leading to the spread of this tea-mixed style.
The Common Ground Between Whisky and Sencha: Water
Whisky is a distilled spirit made from grains such as barley, wheat, or corn. Water is crucial to whisky production, from the initial mashing process to adjusting the alcohol content. The water's characteristics significantly influence the taste and aroma of the whisky. Therefore, choosing the right location for a distillery is crucial for producing excellent whisky. The Yamazaki Distillery, Japan's oldest malt whisky distillery, was chosen for its excellent water source. Interestingly, this area was also where the tea master Sen no Rikyu perfected the wabi-cha style of tea ceremony, using spring water from bamboo groves. Similarly, water is indispensable for tea. Consistent annual rainfall and sprinkler systems to prevent frost damage are essential. The tea leaves, carefully nurtured by farmers, transform into the sencha we drink only when they meet water. Location selection is also crucial for tea cultivation. As tea plants are perennial crops that remain in the same spot for decades once planted, soil selection is a critical factor when starting cultivation. Given these similarities, whisky and tea both rely on delicate flavors and aromas. This makes pairing them challenging at times. To create a more delicious whisky tea highball, it's necessary to consider the compatibility of the tea and whisky, as well as key preparation techniques.
Pairing Whisky and Sencha: Enhancing Their Individual Characteristics
The key to making a delicious tea highball is finding the right balance between the whisky and tea. Some whiskies have strong, smoky aromas that can be overpowering. Oolong tea and hojicha, often used in tea highballs, have distinct flavors and roasted aromas that mellow out the whisky's flavor. They lower the alcohol content while making distinctive whiskies more palatable. For a green tea highball, we recommend pairing with Japanese whiskies that have delicate aromas and smooth flavors. Affordable and easy-to-drink blended whiskies or light-flavored grain whiskies also work well. The ideal sencha to pair with these whiskies should have a mellow aroma and sweetness. Teas with strong bitterness or astringency can clash with the whisky's aroma. Single-origin sencha, which highlights the tea leaves' unique characteristics, allows for better pairing with whisky. Enjoy exploring the best combinations of these complex-flavored whiskies and senchas. 006 Yutakamidori Chiran A tea with rich sweetness, umami, and a roasted aroma. Its grain and seaweed-like scents further enhance the whisky's character. 002 Kasun A tea with low astringency and sweetness, perfect for whisky highballs. Cold-brewing results in a refreshing taste with a pleasant, fragrant breeze. 046 Okuyutaka Kirishima Despite its masculine character, this tea has a refined aroma that pairs well with whisky. Its sweet and mellow flavor gently envelops the whisky's individuality.
Key Points to Remember When Making a Whisky Tea Highball
Another crucial factor in making a delicious whisky tea highball is the preparation method. Pay attention to these three points for an even more delicious tea highball.
① Temperature
When making a cold whisky tea highball, it's important to thoroughly chill the glass and tea. Prepare plenty of ice as well. The tea's flavor varies greatly depending on the extraction temperature. For whisky tea highballs, we recommend "cold brewing," which involves slow extraction at low temperatures. This method reduces bitterness and astringency, highlighting the tea's umami and sweetness for a mellow flavor.
② Ice
One often overlooked aspect when making a tea highball is the quality of the ice. The key points for ice preparation are size and odor. Small ice cubes melt quickly, disrupting the balance of tea and whisky flavors. Therefore, large ice cubes are recommended for tea highballs. To enhance the aroma of the tea highball, avoid using ice with absorbed odors. Ice left in the freezer for extended periods may absorb odors from other foods or the freezer itself. Use odorless ice to preserve the individual aromas of the whisky and tea.
③ Ratio
A tea highball that pairs well with food should have an alcohol content of 7-10 degrees. Aim for this when mixing whisky with tea. As whisky typically has an alcohol content of around 40%, the ideal ratio is 1 part whisky to 3-4 parts tea.
Whisky Tea Highball Recipe
Once you've chosen your preferred tea leaves and understood the key preparation points, it's time to try making a whisky tea highball. First, prepare cold-brewed tea that highlights the tea's umami and sweetness.
Ingredients for Cold Brew Tea
・1L water (adjust as needed with tea leaves for desired final amount) ・25g tea leaves ・1 bottle ・Tea strainer
Cold Brew Tea Preparation
【1】Add water then tea leaves to the bottle
Pour 1L of water into a clean, empty bottle, then add 25g of tea leaves.
【2】Refrigerate for at least 3 hours
Let it steep in the refrigerator. Extraction is complete after 3 to 8 hours.
【3】Strain the tea leaves and chill thoroughly
After extraction, strain the tea leaves using a tea strainer. Chill further, and your delicious cold brew tea for the highball is ready.
Ingredients for Whisky Tea Highball
・Cool tumbler ・Muddler ・Plenty of ice ・30ml whisky ・100ml cold brew tea
Whisky Tea Highball Preparation
【1】Add whisky to a tumbler filled with ice
Slowly pour the whisky into an ice-filled tumbler. Lightly stir with a muddler to chill the whisky.
【2】Add the cold brew tea
Once the whisky is chilled, pour in the prepared cold brew tea. Mix well with the muddler to blend the whisky and tea. Your whisky tea highball is now ready. Enjoy the taste and aroma alongside your favorite dishes or snacks. We also recommend slowly sipping your drink accompanied by tea snacks that pair perfectly with sencha.
Tea Snacks to Pair with Whisky Tea Highballs
Dried figs with their rich sweetness pair well with the tea highball, and can also be enjoyed with your favorite cheese.
Enjoy the fruity aroma of raisins alongside the fragrance of sencha and whisky.
Crack open these smoked nuts one by one to experience a smoky aroma that spreads in your mouth. A sophisticated tea snack that enhances the umami of the sencha and whisky combination.
Explore New Flavor Horizons with Sencha Tea Highballs
Whisky, an adult beverage that can dramatically change its taste with temperature and mixing ratios, pairs wonderfully with tea. Tea itself is a complex drink that can be enjoyed in various ways depending on your mood, accompanying dishes, and personal preferences. At the intersection of these two versatile drinks lies a new world of flavors. We invite you to enjoy a truly delicious cup made with single-origin sencha.
