This simple Earl Grey Extract recipe uses just two ingredients -- earl grey tea and a neutral alcohol base to create a beautifully fragrant extract. It brings out the tea’s bright, citrusy notes, adding a delicate flavor and aroma to your baking and desserts.
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What is earl grey?
Earl Grey is a popular black tea blend that is flavored with oil from the rind of the bergamot orange, a fragrant citrus fruit.
It's the base tea of a London Fog, which is an earl grey tea latte with vanilla, and is a delicious flavor used in cakes, chocolate, tarts, and cookies.
Why you'll love this recipe
This recipe for earl grey tea extract is:
Easy to make: with only two ingredients -- just earl grey tea and alcohol.
Fragrant: if you need a little flavor perk changeup from vanilla, adding a splash of this extract will do just that!
Worth the wait: although a simple recipe, the only downside is having to wait a little while (similar to making vanilla extract) until the extract is ready to use.
Ingredients you'll need
- high-proof neutral alcohol: eg. vodka
- earl grey tea: you can use looseleaf or tea bags; either way, the tea will be loose and emptied into the glass jar; for a stronger flavor, use a finely ground tea (or give it a blitz in a coffee grinder if the tea is more coarse)
Tip: use a tea that you enjoy drinking!
How to make earl grey extract
Place finely ground earl grey tea into a clean glass jar or bottle.
Pour vodka or high-proof alcohol over the tea until the tea is fully submerged.
Tightly seal the jar with a lid and store in a dark, cool place for about 4-6 weeks, giving the jar a shake every few days.
After steeping for about 1 month, strain the tea through a coffee filter and pour the earl grey tea extract into a new clean jar or bottle.
How to store
Store the homemade earl grey extract in a cool, dark location for up to 4-6 months.
How to use
Use earl grey tea extract as you would vanilla extract in baking recipes or drinks.
Add a splash to earl grey pancakes, waffles, cakes, ice cream, London Fog, and more.
I love adding it to my morning coffee for a hint of earl grey flavor.
Expert tips
Making a larger batch? Fill the bottle halfway with looseleaf tea and pour the alcohol over the tea.
Like vanilla extract, earl grey extract would be a great gift for an avid baker.
Not feeling like earl grey? Change up the flavor and do a different tea, or add jasmine flower, lavender, or pandan.
As the tea continues to steep in the alcohol, the extract will get darker over time.
Also, as the tea infuses with the alcohol, the final volume will be slightly reduced.
More earl grey recipes
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Did you make this recipe?
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Earl Grey Extract
For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.
Ingredients
- 3 Earl grey teabags finely ground (I used Stash Double Bergamot Earl Grey)
- 60 ml vodka or high-proof neutral alcohol
Instructions
- Place finely ground earl grey tea into a clean, sterile glass jar or bottle.
- Pour vodka or high-proof alcohol over the tea until the tea is fully submerged.
- Tightly seal the jar with a lid and store in a dark, cool place for about 4-6 weeks, giving the jar a shake every few days.
- After steeping for about 1 month, strain the tea through a coffee filter and pour the earl grey tea extract into a new sterile clean jar or bottle.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.
Dawn
I really enjoy early grey tea, so I'm quite intrigued about this earl grey extract! Such a fun way to add flavour to baked goods and such a nice homemade gift!
Michelle
Thanks Dawn, it is definitely a great gift for earl grey tea lovers!
Healthy World Cuisine
Brilliant! We love earl grey tea and have a bottle brewing now. Going to be so delicious and festive this holiday season.
Michelle
Amazing, Bobbi! Isn't it so easy to prepare? You'll love the extract in your holiday baking! 🙂
David @ Spiced
What a creative idea. I've cooked with tea on occasion where I replace the water in a recipe with tea (or milk steeped in tea)...but this is so much easier! It's like vanilla extract...but it's tea. 🙂
Michelle
Hey David, exactly! It's such a flavorful tea extract -- I've been adding it to all my baked goods lately! 🙂
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
I love Earl Grey, and this is such a great idea! (I've made syrup, but sometimes you just don't need any extra sweetness for your recipes.) I will need to try one, as well as Earl Grey Lavender combo!
Michelle
Oooh earl grey lavender extract sounds heavenly! Thanks Ben!
Heidi
Your earl grey extract is simply brilliant. I love your idea to use it to flavor coffee. I already make homemade vanilla, so your earl grey recipe is a logical next step.
Michelle
Happy to hear it, Heidi! It's such a nice way to add a different flavor when you want something other than vanilla 🙂
Raymund | angsarap.net
Earl Grey extract is such a clever way to bring a burst of citrusy, floral flavor into your baking and drinks! This is definitely a must-try ingredient for any tea lover!
Michelle
Totally agreed, thanks Raymund! A definite must make for any earl grey tea fan 🙂
2pots2cook
Earl Grey is my favourite tea! I will definitely make a batch of this extract !
Michelle
Yes! Do let me know how it turns out, Davorka! 🙂