Cocktails
Haunted Scotch Tea Highball for Halloween
This Haunted Scotch Tea Highball gets its smoke from Lapsang Souchong tea rather than dry ice or a flame. Blended Scotch supplies malt and oak, honey softens the tannic tea, and club soda keeps the finished drink long and crisp.
Recipe reviewed 14 Oct 2026. How we test recipes.
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WHAT YOU NEED
Ingredients
METHOD
How to make it
- Put the Lapsang Souchong tea bag in a heatproof cup. Pour the freshly boiled water over it and steep for 4 minutes.
- Lift out and discard the tea bag without squeezing it. Add the honey to the hot tea and stir until fully dissolved.
- Let the sweetened tea cool for 5 minutes, then refrigerate it for 20 minutes, or until cold. Do not add warm tea to the ice.
- Chill the club soda while the tea cools. Set out one 12 oz Collins glass per serving.
- Divide the measured ice cubes evenly among the glasses.
- Measure the Scotch and divide it evenly among the glasses, pouring it over the ice.
- Divide the chilled sweetened tea evenly among the glasses.
- Measure the chilled club soda and divide it evenly among the glasses, pouring slowly.
- Stir each drink gently three times with a long spoon so it combines without losing too much carbonation.
- If using the rosemary, clap one sprig per serving once between your palms to release its aroma and place it at the rim. Do not light it.
- Serve immediately.
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Smoke without a fire trick
Lapsang Souchong is black tea traditionally dried over pinewood fires, so a small, strong brew gives the drink a distinct smoky aroma. Steep for four minutes: a much longer infusion can make the highball harsh. Chill the tea completely before assembling the drink so the ice does not melt too quickly.
Use a blended Scotch whisky at 40% ABV for the stated estimate. A heavily peated single malt can overwhelm the tea, while a cask-strength whisky will raise the alcohol level. Honey adds just enough roundness to connect the tea and whisky; dissolve it while the tea is hot because it will not mix evenly once cold.
The rosemary is an aromatic, optional garnish, not a special effect. Keeping it unburned avoids ash and an open flame beside alcohol. For another spirit-forward Halloween drink, compare the Blood Moon Rye Boulevardier. The alcohol-free companion is the Shrunken Apple Head Punch for Kids. Browse the Halloween drinks collection.
The estimate counts the tea water, honey, Scotch and club soda. Ice, the discarded tea bag and the optional rosemary garnish add no counted calories. It assumes 40% ABV Scotch; bottle strength changes the result.
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