Earl Grey Ice Cream is the perfect dessert recipe for International Tea Day, which is an American invention and the perfect dessert if you happen to have an ice cream maker at home. Use that big box of Earl Grey tea sitting in your pantry to try this ice cream recipe today. It uses just six ingredients and is custardy with a greyish tinge that carries the distinctive bergamot and black tea flavour that is typical of Earl Grey tea.
The ice cream making follows the classic custard ice cream recipe method using a mix of whole milk, half and half, and sugar, which are heated and steeped with Earl Grey tea bags. Then this warm concoction is tempered into egg yolks whisked with vanilla extract. The mixture is cooked until it is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. It is then chilled before churning in an ice cream maker.
This ice cream recipe by no means is healthybut is worth the indulgence on special occasions, especially if you really love your tea. You can swap Earl Grey for your favourite tea flavour, be it tea bags or whole leaf ones. Make sure to brew a strong batch of tea to get the maximum flavour in your ice cream.
Heat whole milk, half and half, and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat until steaming. Then remove from the heat and drop in all Earl Grey tea bags, cover the pan, and steep at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Remove the tea bags and give each a squeeze to extract any liquid left, mix and then return the pan to medium heat.
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Step 2: Temper the Egg Yolks
Whisk the egg yolks and vanilla extract in another bowl until the mixture is frothy and pale. Once the milk mixture is warm, add 2 tablespoons of the hot milk to the eggs and whisk quickly to temper. Repeat 2-3 more times. Then slowly pour the remaining milk mixture into the egg yolks, while whisking, to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
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Step 3: Cook the Custard
Pour the combined egg and milk mixture back into the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously. Continue until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Do not let it boil.
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Step 4: Strain and Chill
Immediately strain the custard into a clean bowl to remove any cooked egg bits. Let it cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 6-8 hours or until completely cold. Chilling the custard fully before churning will give you a smooth texture.
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Step 5: Churn and Freeze
Once the custard is fully chilled, churn it in your ice cream maker according to the instructions. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze until firm before scooping.
A: Earl Grey tastes like smooth black tea with the refreshing citrus tinge from bergamot – slightly floral, aromatic, and mildly malty, balancing zesty citrus with a neat finish.
A: Earl Grey cream blends citrusy bergamot tea with vanilla-like creaminess, creating a smooth, sweet, slightly floral taste that softens the tea’s sharp citrus edge.
A: Earl Grey contains caffeine from black tea, which boosts energy and alertness, though excessive intake may cause restlessness or insomnia.
A: Not truly spicy, Earl Grey is mainly citrusy and floral, though bergamot can add a faint, subtle spicy note beneath the citrus flavour.