The Steaming Cup

Posts Tagged ‘cloves’

A mix of zesty spices gives this iced tea an unexpected bundle of taste.

An iced tea, spiced with cloves and allspice. Basically, another variation of an iced chai tea. Spicy doesn’t have to mean hot. This recipe will still cool you down, but with some kick.

• 3 tbs loose tea
• 4 cups water
• 12 whole cloves
• 12 allspice berries
• 1 2-inch cinnamon stick
• Lemon wedges

Pour water into a saucepan and bring to a simmer with tea, cloves, allspice and cinnamon. Steep the mix for about 5 minutes. Strain out all the spices and tea leaves, and then put in the fridge to chill thoroughly. Serve this spiced ice tea with lemon wedges, over ice. Serves 4 people.

Yes, you can combine wine and tea. This spicy recipe mixes them nicely.

A traditional holiday favorite, mulled tea with red wine. A bit of spicy cloves and cinnamon make this a very sophisticated hot tea cocktail. An alternative to mulled cider.

• 1 cup strong tea
• 5 tbs sugar
• 2 cups red wine
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Rind of 1 lemon

Boil the tea, lemon rind, sugar, cinnamon and cloves together until the sugar dissolves. Add the red wine and bring to a boil. Strain out cinnamon stick and the rind. You may need to add more sugar, to taste. Serve with a slice of lemon.

You can customize any plain eggnog now

This isn’t a recipe for eggnog, but a wonderful blend of liqueurs and spices that you can use to spike plain store-bought eggnog.

• 2 cups bourbon
• 1 cup dark rum
• 1 cup brandy
• 1 vanilla bean, halved
• 1 whole nutmeg
• 2 large cinnamon sticks
• 7 whole cloves

Mix all the liqueurs together, and then scrape out the vanilla seeds into the mixture. Break up the nutmeg and mix that in along with the cinnamon and cloves. Cover the container and let it steep for a few days before using. Strain out the spice pieces and add to eggnog. It’s quite strong so the 4 cups this makes should spike a lot of eggnog.

Creamy and spicy at the same time. Excellent iced coffee.

A mild coffee drink, that is still rich with cream and cloves.

• 2 cups coffee
• 2 cups light cream
• 5 whole cloves
• 1 stick of cinnamon
• Sugar, to taste

Mix cloves and cinnamon to coffee, and let steep in the refrigerator for a few hours. Strain out the spices. Stir in cream, and add sugar to sweeten. Serve over ice for about 4 people.

Vanilla and chai work very nicely together

Vanilla might not be part of a traditional version of chai, but its not an addition you want to miss. It helps to mellow out the spiciness of the tea.

• 4 cups water
• 3 allspice, whole
• 5 cloves, whole
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 vanilla bean (1-inch)
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tbs loose black tea leaves

In a saucepan, heat water along with all the spices. Bring to a lower simmer, and let steep for about 5 minutes. Add tea leaves, and continue to steep for another 5 minutes. Strain out the tea, and stir in honey. Serve hot.

Serves 4.

Green tea does work very well as chai, though you could always use black tea if you prefer

A recipe for chai tea, with extra milk. Not all chai recipes call for black tea. Using green tea will change the flavour entirely, making it fresh and bright.

• 4 tbs loose green tea
• 6 whole cloves
• 1/2 ground ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup milk
• 4 cups water

Boil water, then simmer with cinnamon, ginger and cloves for about 10 minutes. Add tea and steep for another 5 minutes. Add milk and heat until near boiling. Strain out the spices and tea leaves. Serve chai with a bit of honey.

Serves 4.

Condensed milk makes this a very rich version of chai

A traditional spiced tea (or chai) recipe. It’s rich and creamy, and spiced just right. Add as much honey as you like for some extra sweetness.

• 4 cups water
• 8 tbs loose black tea
• 8 whole cloves
• 1/2 pint condensed milk
• 1/4 tsp cardamom, ground
• 1/2 tsp ginger, ground

Heat water to almost boiling, and steep tea leaves for 5 minutes. Strain out tea and add remaining spices. Simmer for 7 or 8 minutes. Strain again. Add condensed milk and sweeten with honey.

Serves 8

Wrap your hands around a hot cup of chai today

Chai can be so warming so be generous with the spices. This recipe only has a few.

• 2 cups water
• 4 tsp loose black tea
• 1 piece of dry ginger
• 3 cardamom pods
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 small cinnamon stick

Bring water to a boil, then add tea and spices. Boil for another 30 seconds or so, then remove from heat. Let steep for a minute or two. Strain out tea and spices and serve. Serves 4.