The Bar Journal

Yesterday was Charles Grey anniversary who was a British statesman elected to Parliament in 1786. He soon became one of the major leaders of the Whig party and eventually served as prime minister (1830-1834). His tenure saw the passage of the Reform Bill of 1832, which reshaped the parliamentary representative system, and the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire. Grey also had 17 children but is perhaps best remembered as the namesake of the Earl Grey blend of tea. Why was it named after him?

The Earl Grey blend is named after the, British Prime Ministerin the 1830`s and author of the Reform Bill of 1832, who reputedly received a giftof tea flavoured with bergamot oil,, a citrus fruit typical of South East Asyaand grown commercially in Italy.
According to one legend, a grateful Chinese Mandarinwhose son was rescued from drowning by one of Lord Grey’s men first presented the blend to the Earl in 1803. The tale has no basis in fact, as Lord Grey never set foot in Chinaand the use of bergamot oil to scent tea was then unknown in China.

Jacksons of Piccadilly claim they originated Earl Grey’s Tea, Lord Grey having given the recipe to Robert Jackson & Co. partner George Charlton in 1830. According to Jacksons the original recipe has been in constant production and has never left their hands. Theirs has been based on China tea since the beginning.

The Queen of Cocktail, Audrey Sounders created a modern classic when she opened the famous Pegu Club in NYC : The Earl Grey MARTINI

Earl Grey Tea infuse London Dry Gin
Fresh Squeeze Lemon juice
Sugar Syrup
Egg White

Hard shake and single strain in a cocktail glass, Garnish with lemon peel zest

SALUTE!