Downton Abbey Recipes

Early Grey Lavender Shortbread Cookies

1 cup sugar, plus extra for sprinkling 2 bags earl grey tea, removed from bag, about 2 1/2 tsp 1 tsp orange zest 3/4 pound unsalted butter, room temperature 2 tsp pure vanilla extract 1 tsp lavender extract 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted 1/4 teaspoon salt In the bowl of an electric mixer, add sugar, tea leaves and orange zest. Using the paddle attachment, combine ingredients until evenly mixed. Add butter and extracts, and mix to combine. Add flour and salt, mix until the dough comes together. Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface and form into a round disc. Cut dough in half, cover with plastic wrap and transfer to refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350F. Roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut cookies into desired shape and transfer to ungreased baking sheet. Lightly sprinkle top of cookies with more sugar. Bake until edges turn light golden, 20-25 minutes. Transfer to cooling rack after 5 minutes. Decorate with lavender colored royal icing if desired. Pink Tea French 75 2 hibiscus tea bags 2 cups pink gin, chilled 2 Tbsp honey simple syrup 2 Tbsp lemon juice, lemon peel to garnish 1 bottle dry sparkling rose, chilled Brew 2 cups hibiscus tea. Let cool to room temperature. Remove tea bags and chill. Combine chilled tea with pink gin, honey simple syrup and lemon juice. Pour into coup glasses, top with sparkling rose. Garnish with lemon peel. For more instructions, check out IGTv video @laurenpalmeri