DRINK :: SPICY BRANDY CHAI

The holiday season is here and in this cold season, spiced iced tea with liquor will be just too good while enjoying my favorite song next to the fireplace. Chai means tea. As I have Indian origin, by nature I love tea especially if it is milk tea with spices that aroma brings the feeling of relaxation.

Spicy brandy chai is like tea with Vodka and Brandy, every sip brings a warm feeling of relaxation. This drink you can have warm or cold as you like. Cold one just like ice tea with brandy:). I used Vanilla Vodka for the holiday season that gives the extra holiday punch to it.

First, need to make the Chai with aromatic spices and honey for the sweetness. I used cardamom, bay leaf, peppercorns, cinnamon stick for the lovely aromatic flavor.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Making Time: 5 Mins

Serving: 4 to 5

Ingredients:

4 ounces Ciroc Vanilla Vodka

8 ounces honey cardamom chai (4 English black tea bags to make chai )

4 ounces Orange liqueur

4 ounces half-and-half

3 pods cardamoms (cracked)

1 bay leaf

5 whole peppercorns

1-inch cinnamon stick

3 tablespoons Honey

Ice cubes

Cinnamon sticks and star anise for garnishing

Methods:

First, make the Tea::

In a pot, boil 8 ounces of water with bay leaf, whole peppercorns

cinnamon sticky, and crushed cardamom pods.

Then add the tea bags and turn off the heat and cover the pot with a lid and leave it for 5 minutes.

Remove the tea bags and sieve the tea in a pitcher.

This drink, you can have cold or warm, It's your choice.

For warm tea:

Add the orange liqueur, vanilla vodka, and half-and-half and honey and stir to combine.

Garnish with cinnamon sticks, and star anise.

Serve hot immediately.

For cold use:

Let the tea come to room temperature.

Take some Ice to a large pitcher and pour the room temperature tea in it.

Add the orange liqueur and half-and-half and honey.

Stir to combine. Keep the mixture chilled until ready to serve.

Fill glasses with ice and pour the chilled Spicy Brandy Chai over ice.

Garnish with cinnamon sticks, and star anise.