I rather like tea. There are times where no matter how terrible the situation a cup of tea can remedy it in an instant. If the first cup doesn’t work then you move onto a mug. If the mug is failing to turn that frown around then you move onto a larger receptacle. And so on and so forth until the only solution is to fill a bath tub with warm tea and have a little soak. That way you’ve got the best of both worlds.
No matter what the tea there is always an appropriate occasion for it. For example I would start the day on a strong single blend, have an Earl Grey in the afternoon and a fresh green tea in the evening. Each to their own I reckon. Over the festive period I find my tea consumption reduced in favour of mulled wine, sloe gin and hot chocolate. Of course, I don’t start pouring gin over my cornflakes but you get the picture. In order to feel festive and start wading through the mountains of tea I have acquired over the last few months it was time to try making a Christmas tea.
You will need (for around a litre):
Orange zest from half an orange
A cinnamon stick
One star anise
Three cloves
Tea, as strong as you like it
A little brown sugar
Put the orange zest, cinnamon, star anise and cloves into a jug. Make up some tea in a teapot to the strength you like it. When the tea has cooled a little pour it into the jug with the spices. Leave the spices and orange to infuse with the tea for a few minutes. Put a sprinkling of brown sugar into each cup and then pour the tea in to the cup.
You could of course remove the tea from the teapot and add the spices directly into the teapot but I quite liked being able to see all the flavours mix and mingle together.
I have previously said I don’t like sugar in my tea but using brown sugar with this mix gives each cup a lovely rounded caramel flavour. The tea had a deep, clear, brown hue which with the spices made for a wonderful visual and flavourful drink. This is a great alternative on those days where you are feeling festive but can’t face another glass of mulled wine.
Sounds very similar to Chai tea, which I love & have run out of. I am off to raid my spice draw now.
Oh, this sounds wonderful! Love how you use brown sugar!
Mmm.. this tea is lovely and Christmassy. I love its bright colour and I can smell the delicate aroma spreading around the room 🙂
Sounds so warming! Oh I always forget to buy star anise..
spiced tea sounds like perfection right now – i’m going to see if i have the stuff for a cup!
I love the spice you’d added to the tea. Great flavor and good for health too..
You and me and tea! I start my morning with green tea and then like the Earl Greys and breakfast teas…later in the day! But like you, during the holidays, like a bit more spice.
This one’s perfect for the holidays, and yeah, some days I wish I could fill up a tub with tea and just jump in…
ok this was so cute. it is so true, i will totally go to larger and larger vessels until it works for me and i get that all around soothe i need from my tea!
your cups are sooooo pretty, btw. i am coveting.
This sounds so fragrant! I would love to have a cup on a cold day…
I’m not really a big tea drinker, but this sounds right up my street, thank you.
Cheers
Marcus
Just found your blog…love your writing and cooking style. New fan here. Definitely going to try the spiced tea this weekend.
Now THIS is my kinda tea! I love this. I’m like you, I dislike sugar in my tea. So I’m not sure if i’ll add the brown sugar or not but it look amazing! Thank you for posting =D
I lovee tea. I tend to drink so much more this time of year!
There is something so comforting about drinking tea 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Wow, I’ve never even heard of Christmas tea before but this sounds absolutely delicious and a fantastic idea! Thank you for sharing and hope you have w wonderful Chrissy 🙂 x
what a lovely festive tea great idea
This sounds lovely – perhaps even served cold as a long soft drink? Might need to be a tad sweeter then.
I love spiced tea, most particularly proper masala chai – but that’s a substantial hassle to make and this is just a doddle!
What a good idea for tea…and so festive too…I’d love to sit down with a cup of this over the holidays! 🙂
I like drinking Xmas tea, late at night when the house is silent, the kids are sleeping and the guest gone…. I’ve to try to prepare a cup using your recipe…!
I completely agree with that. The only thing that can make a horrible situation even better is if your Nan makes you that cup of tea. I honestly believe that we could solve more problems if we just sat down for more tea. Your homemade teas are beautiful. I can’t wait to make them for Christmas morning!
Bathing in tea indeed:-) What a lovely festive idea to make a special tea for Christmas. I’d really like to try this recipe.