Lady Grey Cupcakes with Orange Zest Frosting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 20 standard muffin cups with paper liners. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Bring 1/2 cup water to a simmer in a small saucepan. Add tea bags and steep 10 minutes. Squeeze tea bags to remove excess liquid; discard tea bags. Stir in honey and 1/4 cup sugar until dissolved. Stir together 1/4 cup tea syrup and half-and-half in a bowl. Reserve remaining syrup. Beat butter and remaining 1 1/4 cup sugar on medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating to incorporate after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Reduce speed to low and beat in flour mixture and half-and-half mixture alternately, starting and ending with flour mixture, just until flour is incorporated. Divide batter between prepared muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Use a toothpick to poke 10 holes in each cupcake and brush with remaining tea syrup. Cool completely in pans on a wire rack. Frost cupcakes with Orange Zest Frosting.