Kurant Tea pairs Absolut Kurant blackcurrant vodka with hot Turkish apple tea, with sugar added to taste, served warm in a large teacup or flute. The vodka's rich berry depth folds into the apple tea's natural sweetness and faintly spiced, cinnamon-tinged character, the two combining into a comforting cold-weather drink at around 12 percent ABV. The recipe cautions that the tea should not be too hot when the vodka is added. Simple to prepare and gently warming, it belongs to the small category of fruit-and-tea cocktails suited to autumn and winter sipping.
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Kurant Tea
Ingredients
- Absolut Kurant 4 cl
- Tea Turkish apple
- Sugar (if needed)
Instructions
Pour Absolut Kurant into a comfortably big tea-cup. Add the not too hot(!) apple tea and, if you like, some sugar. Enjoy!
Kurant Tea is a warm, fruit-forward tea cocktail that combines Absolut Kurant black currant vodka with hot Turkish apple tea, with optional sugar to taste. The black currant vodka's rich berry depth complements the apple tea's natural sweetness and warm, cinnamon-tinged character. It is a simple, comforting warm drink suited to autumn and winter.
History & Origins
Turkish apple tea, known as elma çayı, is a popular caffeine-free herbal tea enjoyed widely throughout Turkey and increasingly exported to European markets from the 1990s onward. The combination with black currant vodka reflects the Central European and Scandinavian tradition of flavored spirit-and-tea drinks popularized in the 1990s when Absolut's flavored vodka range expanded globally. The exact origin of this recipe is disputed.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Warm apple tea spice and black currant berry, sweet and inviting. Palate: Sweet and warming — the Absolut Kurant's black currant richness blends with the apple tea's warm apple-spice character, creating a cozy, fruity hot drink. Finish: Warm and sweet, with lingering black currant and apple-spice notes.
Pro Tip
Use tea that is hot but not boiling to prevent the vodka from losing its aroma; add sugar sparingly as the apple tea is already naturally sweet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in a Kurant Tea cocktail?
Kurant Tea combines Absolut Kurant blackcurrant vodka with hot Turkish apple tea. The blackcurrant vodka adds a rich, berry-forward depth to the aromatic, slightly sweet apple tea. It is a warm drink that works as a cold-weather cocktail or tea-time adult beverage.
How is Kurant Tea served?
Kurant Tea is served hot in a heat-proof glass or tea cup. Turkish apple tea is brewed or prepared from instant powder, then Absolut Kurant is stirred in. The drink is served immediately while hot. It requires no elaborate garnish, though a lemon slice or cinnamon stick can be added.
Can other vodkas be substituted in a Kurant Tea?
While the original recipe calls for Absolut Kurant specifically, any blackcurrant-flavored vodka can be substituted, or a small amount of crème de cassis can be stirred into plain vodka to achieve a similar blackcurrant profile. The Turkish apple tea component can also be replaced with regular apple tea in markets where Turkish apple tea is unavailable.
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