It’s getting cold in Toronto. Bar hopping has lost its appeal. Running around in open-toed pumps with frozen feet is no longer at the top of my totem pole. I want cozy plaid blankets, quirky French romantic comedies, and most importantly, pots upon pots of steaming fragrant teas.

Simply put, tea is wonderful! And so, this week’s column is dedicated to throwing your very own tea party. You can make it as simple or elaborate as you’d like (time permitting). It can be a themed costume bash (Mad Hatters, Alice in Wonderland works nicely) or a cozy get-together with friends over some alcoholic teas. Yes, you can infuse just about anything with alcohol and it will taste good.

Amazing Alcoholic Tea Recipes:

Gluhwein

A sophisticated hot tea cocktail, with wine, cinnamon, and spice (optional); a great alternative to mulled cider.

INGREDIENTS:

250 ml strong tea

75 ml sugar

500 ml red wine

5 ml ground cloves (optional)

1 cinnamon stick

Rind of 1 lemon

PREPARATION:

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 the cinnamon stick and the rind. Sugar to taste.

Green Tea Tokyo

A warm alternative to the mojito, easy to make, and very tasty.

INGREDIENTS:

2 oz white rum

1 tbsp honey

5 sprigs of mint

2 tbsp sugar syrup or confectionary sugar

6 oz hot green tea

PREPARATION:

Combine ingredients in a mug, and serve. If you want to strain out the mint, let it sit for 2-3 minutes before removing the sprigs.

Jaeger Tea

A fruity cocktails that’s almost too good to be true.

INGREDIENTS:

3 oz Schnapps

3 oz rum

6 oz water

Juice from one orange

1 tea bag (black)

PREPARATION:

Heat ingredients together in a saucepan until they come to a boil. Let simmer for 5 minutes, and serve. Sugar to taste.

Irish Tea

There’s Irish coffee, so why not Irish tea?

INGREDIENTS:

1 tbs loose tea, or 1 tea bag

1 oz whisky

1 oz milk or cream

1 tsp sugar

PREPARATION:

Brew tea in hot water for 3-5 minutes, strain out tea. Add the rest of the ingredients and serve!

While alcoholic teas are a great middle ground for the tea lover and boozer in each of us, regular tea can be just as enjoyable. The most popular teas consumed in North America are black, green, and white teas. Just remember the golden rule: loose leaf always tastes better than packaged tea!

Tea Sidebar

Black Tea

FUN FACTS:

*Has a long history of trade as it maintains its taste and aroma for several years (unlike other teas).

*Black tea bricks have served as a form of currency in Mongolia, Tibet, and Siberia.

*Was used as cloth dye by peasants who couldn’t afford dyed garments.

TASTE:

*Has the richest and most varied taste, from sweet to spicy to smokey.

PROCESS:

*Leaves are withered by air, and then undergo a complex fermentation process, during which they are oxidized in accordance to a time sensitive, highly intricate regimen.

HEALTH BENEFITS:

*Reverses abnormal function of blood vessels

*Reduces risk of coronary heart disease

*Soothes stress

PREPARATION:

*Steep in boiling water, between 30 seconds and 5 minutes, depending on preferance.

Black teas you MUST try: Darjeeling, Broken Orange Pekoe, Assam, and Keemun.

White Tea

FUN FACTS:

*Originated in China during the Ming Dynasty.

*Was the inspiration behind the famous Japanese Tea Ceremony.

TASTE:

*Delicate, slightly sweet flavour.

PROCESS:

*Comes from the same source as black tea (Camilla Sinensis tea bush) only its plucked at an earlier stage, just before the bud opens, while its still covered by thin white hairs. It is then lightly steamed.

HEALTH BENEFITS:

*Contains the most polyphenols, an anti-oxidant that kills and fights cancer causing cells

*Boosts immune system

PREPARATION:

*Steep in hot water (76 to 85 degrees Celsius) for 3 – 8 minutes, depending on variety.

White teas you MUST try: Silver Needle, White Peony, and Narcissus White.

Green Tea

FUN FACTS:

*Has been consumed for almost 5000 years, India and china were the first counties to cultivate it.

*It has been used medicinally all over Asia, and was believed to stop bleeding, migraines, and treat depression.

*Has one fourth of the caffeine content of coffee.

TASTE:

Light flavour with a grassy aftertaste.

PROCESS:

*Air dried, and quickly steamed or pan-fried.

HEALTH BENEFITS:

*Regulates body temperature and promotes digestion.

*A compound in the tea inhibits cancer cell growth.

*Lowers cholesterol and prevents cardiovascular disease.

PREPARATION:

* Steep in hot water (70 – 80 degrees Celsius) for 2, 3 minutes.

Green teas you MUST try: Kukicha, Gyokura, and Mecha.

Come back next week for a variety of snack ideas and recipes to serve at your very own tea party!