We’ve officially (and unfortunately) reached the mid-winter slump that is the month of January. The point of no return, if you will – and boy is it cold! If you’re lucky enough to live in a warmer climate, we raise a glass to you and your good fortune. As for the rest of us (especially those lacking a fireplace), we must search for other sources of solace. Our first choice is instinctively to curl up on the couch with a warm cocktail, and we think yours should be too:
Dirty Chai Toddy: (2 servings)
- 8 oz. half and half
- 4 oz. water
- 1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
- 2 black cardamom pods, crushed
- 5-6 pink peppercorns, crushed
- 1 ½ inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and flattened
- 2 tbsp. Turbinado sugar
- 2 sachets of whole leaf black tea
- 2 oz. espresso
- 2 oz. bourbon
In a small saucepan, mix together half and half, water, spices and sugar. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Add tea sachets and steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea sachets and strain out spices and split chair between two teacups. Add one ounce of espresso and one ounce of bourbon to each cup.