For many years, green tea has been promoted as having healthful benefits, so when we heard about Zen Green Tea Liqueur from Suntory Limited we wanted to try it.

Zen Green Tea Liqueur (www.suntory.com) is a super premium liqueur from Japan that is made with neutral spirits that are infused with special Kyoto green tea leaves from a prestigious tea producer in Japan that has been cultivating tea for over 300 years, is blended with herbs including lemongrass and natural flavors, and while we wouldn't exactly go so far as to call it a health drink with 20% alcohol, we really appreciated the delicate green color, its aromatic nose, and subtle balance of flavors that inspired us to create some interesting cocktails and even a dessert.

Zen Green Tea Liqueur served over ice makes an interesting aperitif; mixed with lemonade and Luxury Experience's Zenade makes a really invigorating summer long drink.

Luxury Experience's Zenade

4.5 ounces pink lemonade
1.5 ounces Zen Green Tea Liqueur

Pour the lemonade and Zen Green Tea Liqueur over ice in a tall glass, stir and garnish with a slice of lemon.

We decided to boost its green tea qualities by creating Luxury Experience's Zenzational Smoothie using green apple, yogurt, freshly brewed high quality loose green tea and Zen Green Tea Liqueur. The result is a flavorful, refreshing, and yes, pretty healthy drink, and we think that we could get hooked on this delicious libation.

Luxury Experience's Zensational Smoothie
For 2

6 ounces green apple, peeled and chopped (1 apple)
6 ounces lemon yogurt
3 ounces freshly brewed green tea
2 ounces Zen Green Tea Liqueur
8 ice cubes

In a blender, add all ingredients and process until smooth. Serve in a tall glass and garnish with a slice of green apple.

Our next cocktail creation, Luxury Experience's Zen Harmony brings out the green tea and underlying lemongrass flavor of the Zen Green Tea Liqueur, which combines beautifully with the mango juice.

Luxury Experience's Zen Harmony

3 ounces water
2 green tea bags
2-inch piece lemon grass
4.5 ounces mango nectar
2.25 ounces Zen Green Tea Liqueur

Boil the water and steep the green tea bags for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags, and add the lemongrass, muddle, and let steep for 10 minutes, remove the lemongrass and let cool. Add ice to a shaker, and then add the green tea lemongrass infusion, mango nectar and the Zen Green Tea Liqueur and shake hard. Pour over fresh ice in a large brandy snifter.

Edward is a true master when it comes to making homemade ice cream, and his creamy, decadent creation of Luxury Experience's Zen Philosocream, which really brings out the Zen Green Tea Liqueur essence, is a definite winner.

Luxury Experience's Zen Philosocream

3 ounces boiling water
4 green tea bags
3 ounces sugar
8 ounces Half and Half
8 ounces Heavy Cream
4 ounces Zen Green Tea Liqueur

Place the tea bags in boiling water in a cup and let steep for 5 minutes. Gently squeeze tea bags and discard. In a large bowl, blend the tea and the sugar, and allow the mixture to cool. Add the Half and Half, Heavy Cream and the Zen Green Tea Liqueur, and stir to combine. Pour the mixture into an ice cream machine and process according to the machine's directions.

© July 2006. Luxury Experience. www.luxuryexperience.com. All rights reserved.