There’s nothing that can substitute an Indian’s cup of chai in the morning. Come December, there's not much that can substitute a good stiff drink either. Put those two together and the equation practically writes itself.
To celebrate International Tea Day today, we've got you some of the best tealcohol recipes to spice up your evenings this party season.
Hot Toddy:
For toasty evenings, try this easy recipe from about.com:
Ingredients:
•1½ oz brandy, or rum
•1 Tablespoon honey
•¼ lemon
•1 cup hot water
•1 tea bag
First spoon your honey into a fat mug or a glass so it coats the bottom. Then squeeze in the lemon quarter and add your preferred choice of liquor together. Make tea using the tea bag and hot water, or brew your own mix of dark tea. Make sure it's hot, before adding it to the mix. Throw in a cinnamon stick for added effect. Serves 1.
Also check out one of India's most popular female bartenders in action
Bourbon Slush:
Set your palate for a romantic evening with this heady concoction from drinksmixer.com
Ingredients:
•7 cups water
•3 cups for bourbon whisky
•12 oz frozen lemonade
•1½ cups sugar
•2 cups strong tea
Simply mix in all the ingredients. Then put the mixture in a freezer till it is ready to serve. Before serving, blend the concoction or stir it it in a bowl so it liquifies a little. Then serve in old-fashioned glasses.
Want a mocktail with a bit of spice?
Green Iced Tea:
Healthy, and refreshing, this makes the perfect Sunday brunch cocktail from prevention.com
Ingredients:
•1 ginger lemon tea bag
•3 oz fresh cucumber juice
•1½ tequila
•Splash of lemon juice
•1 lime wedge
Steep the ginger lemon tea bag in tequila. After 30 minutes, squeeze the tea out for additional flavour before removing it and pour in the cucumber and lemon juice. Stir the mixture, and serve on the rocks, after adding a lime wedge. Serves 1.
Add a touch of flair to your bartending skills
Tipsy Arnold Palmer:
Author Fred Thompson on epicurious.com forgoes the monotony of a Long Island Iced Tea with this potent mix.
Ingredients:
•2 large tea bags for iced tea
•½ cup boiling water
•8 fresh mint sprigs
•4 cups lemonade made from frozen concentrate
•½ cup vodka
•ice cubes
•8 lemon slices
Let your tea bags soak in the boiling water for about 4 minutes in a bowl. Then remove them. Take a large pitcher, and mash the mint sprigs in it with a muddler or a wooden spoon until slightly bruised. Add the vodka, lemonade and the tea. Cover and chill the mixture. Before serving, add the lemon slices as trimmings. Bonus tip: Can be made 1 day ahead. Serves 8.
Pick up 5 easy vodka cocktails
Afterburner:
Finally, what’s a cocktail list without a shooter? Here’s a simple, sweet recipe from baronedrinks.com that’ll get you all fired up for the evening ahead!
Ingredients:
•½ oz tea
•½ oz cherry whisky
Simply layer your ingredients in a shot glass, and toss it back. That fiery trail trailing your insides shall leave you in no doubts of its name. Serves 1.
Add some jazz to your party