Beverage
Georgian Tea with Honey and Grapefruit (Sakhli Chai)
Original name: Georgian Tea with Honey and Grapefruit
About this dish
A cozy mug of black tea sweetened with wildflower honey and brightened with fresh grapefruit — a loving Georgian twist on tea time. This recipe pairs the boldness of black tea with citrusy tang and floral honey, creating a hug-worthy drink that soothes the soul.
Ingredients
UK and US measurements are both included for every recipe.
water
liquid500 ml
Imperial measurement: 2 cups
loose-leaf black tea (e.g., Georgian or Assam)
grain2 teaspoons (or 2 tea bags)
fresh grapefruit
fruit1 medium (1/2, cut into wedges, plus slices for garnish)
wildflower honey (or any distinctive honey)
seasoning2 tablespoons (adjust to taste)
lemon zest or a pinch of cinnamon (optional for depth)
other1/2 teaspoon
Method
Boil the water
3 minutesBring the water to a rolling boil in a kettle or saucepan. -- If using a teapot, warm it with a little hot water, then discard.
Steep the tea
5 minutesPour the hot water over the black tea in your teapot. Let steep for 3-5 minutes depending on how strong you like it.
Squeeze grapefruit
3 minutesWhile the tea steeps, squeeze juice from half of the grapefruit into a small bowl. You should have about 2-3 tablespoons. Slice the remaining half into thin rounds for garnish.
Combine honey and grapefruit
1 minuteWhisk the honey into the grapefruit juice until fully dissolved.
Pour and enjoy
1 minuteRemove the tea bags or strain the leaves. Pour the tea into mugs, then stir in the honey-grapefruit mixture. Add a slice of grapefruit to each mug, if you like. Sip slowly and feel the warmth spread - just like a hug in a glass.
Equipment
- Kettle or pot
- Teapot or large mug
- Tea strainer (if using loose leaf)
- Small bowl
- Fork or small whisk
- Mugs
Nutrition facts
Tips
- Trust your taste buds: start with 1 tablespoon of honey, then adjust. Georgian wildflower honey is robust, but any assertive honey will shine.
- Want a more citrusy kick? Add a slice of fresh ginger while the tea steeps, then remove it before serving.
- If you have a sweet tooth kind of grandma like mine, drizzle a little extra honey right over the grapefruit slice floating in your mug.
- Make it sparkling!
- To.
- To turn it into a luxurious iced drink, pour it cooled over ice and top with a splash of soda water.
- Avoid boiling the tea for more than 5 minutes, it turns bitter, and no one likes a sad, bitter hug from Mother Georgia.
Serving suggestions
- Serve hot in glass mugs to admire the tea's amber color. Pairs beautifully with a slice of sbrisolona or a small piece of dark chocolate, though in Georgia we'd often enjoy it with chunk of fresh bread and white cheese.
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Recipe by
Nino Beridze
Specialises in Georgian cuisineNino makes khachapuri that oozes cheese like a volcano. She says the secret is loving the dough like a child.
Describe yourself in three words: Loving, loud, huggy.