“Springtime in Japan brings to mind beautiful spring greenery and is peak season for white peaches,” says Okubo. Combining the delicate sweetness of white peaches and the subtle aromatics of green tea, “think of this as a green tea version of classic peach iced tea.”
Use only fresh, ripe white peaches and the highest-quality Japanese loose-leaf green tea available; look for finely cut tea leaves that are bright green in color.
2 teaspoons loose-leaf green tea leaves, divided
1 teaspoon powdered sugar
1 lime, cut into wedges
3 tablespoons hot water
Ice cubes
½ fresh white peach
1½ ounces Grey Goose Vodka
2–3 teaspoons fresh lime juice
Simple syrup, to taste
Mix 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves and powdered sugar in a saucer. Cut a notch into the flesh of a lime wedge and moisten the rim of a martini glass by rubbing the lime around the rim. Dip the glass into the green tea and sugar mixture until the entire edge is rimmed evenly.
Steep 1 teaspoon of the green tea leaves in the hot water for 1–2 minutes to produce a strong green tea. Pour the hot tea into a mixing glass. Add ice cubes to dilute and gently chill the tea.
Cut the white peach into bite-size pieces. In a shaker, muddle the peach pieces into a soft pulp. Add the vodka, chilled green tea, lime juice and simple syrup to taste based on the ripeness of the peaches and the strength of the tea. Shake well, strain (Okubo uses a special bird’s nest strainer) and pour into the glass.