At Girls on Food, we love some good food and drink – and we also love featuring the ladies behind that food and drink whenever possible. Enter: Owl’s Brew, tea for cocktails created by Jennie Ripps and Maria Littlefield. The duo worked in marketing together starting in 2009. Littlefield noticed Ripps’ (a tea sommelier) passion for tea and they started served tea-infused cocktails at high profile events. Ripps started a custom tea blending company Brew Lab in 2011, and finally in 2013 they founded Owl’s Brew together. Since then they have been honored with recognition such as the Specialty Food Association’s 2014 “35 Under 35” awards among food and beverage entrepreneurs, and in 2016 Forbes named Littlefield one of its “30 Under 30” professionals. Last year they released a unique cocktail guide WISE COCKTAILS: A DIY Guide to Crafting Tea-Based Cocktails (Rodale Press), which was top ten in its category on Amazon. Look for them to also revolutionize your beer drinking as they gear up to release Owl’s Brew Radler, the first canned beer and tea!
The Owl’s Brew line currently has 5 different mixers with other seasonal products offered from time to time. We got to taste the 5 classic mixers and highlight a few of our favorite pairings for you! Owl’s Brew recommends mixing 2 parts Brew with 1 part hard spirit, or equal parts if mixing with beer or wine. Order online at on their site and you’ll 15% off when you use promo code GIRLSBREW at checkout! You can also find Owl’s Brew in stores at BevMo!, Total Wine, Nugget Market, The Fresh Market, and Whole Foods.
Owl’s Brew Pink and Black
Flavors of Darjeeling hibiscus tea, strawberry, and lemon.
Tasting Notes: Summery strawberry, lemon, notes of black tea, and cranberry. Sweet and fruity.
Recommended Pairings: whiskey, tequila, white wine, amber ale
Pink and Black Sangria
Girls on Food loved the Pink and Black and came up with a fun and easy sangria for late summer entertaining! Measurements reflect the option to create a single serving or a pitcher for large parties.
2 oz (24oz) Owl’s Brew Pink and Black
4 oz (1 bottle) Rosé wine (on the drier side)
1oz (6oz) Vodka
1 (8) sliced Strawberries
2 (16) lemon slices
Build ingredients in to a glass or punch bowl, depending on which serving size you’re making. Top with ice and give it a few stirs. Extra credit for letting vodka infuse with strawberries and lemon ahead of time!
Owl’s White and Vine
Flavors of white tea, pomegranate, strawberry, and lemon peel.
Tasting Notes: Sweet, pomegranate forward, hint of lemon.
Recommended Pairings: whiskey, tequila, gin, wheat beer
Owl’s Brew Coco-Lada
Flavors of black tea, coconut, chai spice, and pineapple.
Tasting Notes: Tropical pineapple and green apple, warming chai spice. Very minimal coconut notes.
Recommended Pairings: rum, mezcal, vodka, champagne, stout beer
Owl’s Brew Classic
Flavors of English Breakfast, lemon, lime, and lemon peel.
Tasting Notes: Classic Arnold Palmer, agave, citrus.
Recommended Pairings: whiskey, vodka, gin, IPA beer
Owl’s Brew Wicked Green
Flavors of green tea, habanero, lime, and lemon.
Tasting Notes: Balanced amount of heat, citrus, green tea.
Recommended Pairings: tequila, mezcal, vodka, gin
Wicked Green was my personal favorite with its perfectly balanced spice that gives you a kick but never overwhelms your palette. The 2 to 1 ratio was a little sweet for me so I’m currently sipping on this mix of 1.5 oz Reposado tequila, 2 oz Wicked Green, and fresh lemon slices!
