Chai Lattes to Ward off the Bitter Cold!

Tags

beverage, black tea, chai, cheap, drink, gluten free, homemade, latte, vegetarian

According to the National Weather Service, we are currently experiencing gust of wind up to 35 mph. Though our temperature is 55F, it is expected to drop 8F with wind chills below -5F. Tomorrow promises to be even better – Highs around 9. Wind chill readings 12 below to 22 below zero. Thank goodness for my electric blanket and this chai.  The flavors of this chai are perfect. Exactly like my local coffee shop makes it, only I didn’t use steamed milk. Plus my version is a heck of a lot cheaper!

Chai Latte for One

• 1 cup water
• 1 black tea bag
• 1/4 tsp of ginger, cardamon, ground cloves, and ground cinnamon
• Sugar to taste
• 1 cup milk

In a small saucepan, combine the water with tea and the spices. Boil gently until the tea is steeped well. Add your sugar and the milk. Simmer until heated through. Strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer. Serves 1 but multiplies well.

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Pumpkin Spiced Vietnamese Iced Coffee

Tags

beverage, coffee, drink, iced, pumpkin, spice, Vietnamese

I am usually a coffee purist; coffee should be strong and black, no cream or sugar. When I read this recipe by Food + Word, my curiosity was aroused. I have previously enjoyed Vietnamese coffee and do like the idea of pumpkin spice syrup. Plus, I know plenty of coffee freaks at work who would like this syrup if it turned out I did not. Sadly for them, I love it!

Pumpkin Spiced Vietnamese Iced Coffee (from Food + Word)

• 6 oz freshly brewed coffee, chilled
• 1 oz pumpkin spice syrup
• 4 oz whipping cream (for a lower calorie option, use half 1% milk and half of the cream)
• 1 oz sweetened condensed milk

Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour the chilled coffee, pumpkin spice syrup, cream and sweetened condensed milk into the glass, and stir well to combine.

Plum and Thyme Fruit Tea

Tags

beverage, black, drink, plum, tea, thyme

This mild tea has a lightly sweet and herbal flavor. Of course, the longer it sits, the more flavored it becomes. If you don’t have thyme, you could always substitute basil or marjoram, though they might be overpowering if you add too much.

One Year Ago: Apple Crisp

Plum and Thyme Fruit Tea

• 3  tea bags of black tea (more if you like strong tea)
• 3  tbsp honey
• 1  plum, sliced
• Sprigs of fresh thyme, lightly crushed

In a glass 2 cup measuring cup, boil 2 cups of water in the microwave. Remove from microwave and add the teabags. Allow to steep for about 30 minutes. Drain hot tea into a pitcher. Add honey, plum, and thyme sprigs. Add more water if desired. Allow to sit so the flavors blend, about 2 hours. Serve over ice.

Grapefruit Vodkarita

Tags

citrus, cocktail, daffodils, drink, grapefruit, robins, spring, vodka

I had the most awesome surprise this afternoon… Hundreds of robins cheeping in my backyard. It is spring time! No matter what the calendar says. The tips of my daffodils and tulips are barely peaking through the dirt. I can’t wait till they show their happy little faces. The pure yellow of old fashioned daffodils is by the best part of spring to me. When I was a little girl, I would pick hundreds of them and fill quart Mason jars near to bursting.

Until spring arrives, I am going to have to console myself with alcohol. This is the best time of year for fresh citrus; combined with my mini palm tree, maybe sipping this will make me feel like it is warm outside and a tan is in my near future.

Grapefruit Vodkarita

• 1 ounce vodka
• 1/2 grapefruit, juiced
• 1 lime, juiced
• 2 ounces citrus soda
• Ice

Mix vodka and juices in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a tall glass. Finish with soda.