Take a Holiday Break with DIY Spiced Tea

Kate Gagnon
Kate Gagnon
Kate Gagnon is a writer based in New York City. She feeds her tech obsession managing social media for various design companies by day.
published Dec 20, 2013
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(Image credit: Megan Gordon)

The shopping, the baking, the decorating, the caroling, the traveling — the holidays are never stressful, right? It’s just joy and peace and jolly and festive! Well, just in case the stress does happen to creep in, here’s an idea: make a cup of spiced tea, snag some quiet space in the kitchen and nosh on one of those gorgeous cookies sure to be within reach.

The fixings for mulled wine and toddies are always abundant around the holidays in our house, which is perfect for making a spiced tea.

My go-to base tea is a classic English Breakfast, brewed strong and bright according to the package’s instructions. Often I’ll make a big teapot and to that I’ll add honey or maple syrup, whichever is handy. Thinly sliced lemons and oranges add a citrusy sweetness and continue to flavor the pot as the day goes on. Other great additions include cinnamon sticks, star anise, fresh ginger or cloves.

(Image credit: Sara Kate Gillingham)

If I’m feeling ambitious or the tea is for a small few, perhaps I’ll make a pot of spicy, milky chai tea. Either way, the result is the same: a tiny, welcome respite from the chaos of parties, presents, and decorating.

While the idea is very flexible, accommodating whatever is or is not in your pantry, here’s a guide recipe to get you started (plus Sara Kate’s delicious Chai!):

How do you take a quiet break during the holidays?

Filed in:
Beverages
Tea