Have a Cup of Cheer with These Christmas Tea Recipes!

The end of the year is nearly upon us! Christmas time is just around the corner, and the weather could not be colder. It is definitely time to fully embrace the Christmas spirit, and in our opinion, there is no better time to enjoy a hot cup of tea than right now. These cold Arizona nights are not something we are used to during the rest of the year. We all have our classic favorites, but sometimes it can be fun to mix things up and make a new recipe.

Christmas time brings out all kinds of memories and family traditions. Whether it was that “one” present you wanted when you were eight or that time when the whole family could not stop laughing, Christmas memories can give us a warmth and comfort that few other parts of the year can. Hanging lights around the house, baking cookies and other goodies, and exchanging gifts with loved ones are just some of the holiday traditions we love here at Hackberry. Another one of our favorite traditions is making tasty new recipes with all the different kinds of tea we have sitting around! Whether you are getting tea as a gift for the first time, or a seasoned tea veteran, there are fewer feelings as good as sipping a hot cup of delicious tea while wrapped up in your favorite blanket. From new and spicy to familiar and comforting, our favorite Christmas holiday teas can make some great drinks.

Before we dive into our Christmas tea recipes, let us first explore some of our favorite ready-made tea blends for this festive time of year. We understand that there is a lot of prep-work that involves shopping, baking, and late-night wrapping. One of the best ways to stay awake and check off your to-do list is a brisk, flavorful cup of black tea. Our Apple Cider Chai is just the tea you need! The black tea base provides the perfect caffeine boost, while the taste of apple and spice adds a delicious pep to your day. If caffeine is not your thing and instead you need a brew to help de-stress, Evening Peace & Quiet is the best accompaniment for a relaxed evening while you watch a Christmas movie or wrap a present or two. If you simply just enjoy the flavors of the holidays and want something warm and cozy to sip on, our Winter Favorites Bundle offers an assortment of tea blends that are the epitome of the holidays. From the rich flavors of Chestnuts to the minty, freshness of Peppermint, there is a tea that will satisfy and even lift your holiday spirit! Depending on your mood or the climate you live in, every tea can be enjoyed hot or iced.

Christmas Themed Recipes

Creamy Chocolate Peppermint Tea *1 Serving

What could be better than a classic peppermint tea? Adding some chocolate of course! This incredibly tasty concoction is perfect for sipping all throughout Christmas Day! This beverage can be enjoyed caffeinated using Peppermint Twist Black, or caffeine free with our herbal Peppermint Tea.

What You’ll Need:

  • 1 ¾ cups of whole milk, or your favorite nut milk for dairy free options
  • 2 teaspoons of your choice of peppermint tea
  • 0.4oz of chocolate (we recommend using dark chocolate to bring out the flavor)

Instructions:

  1. Chop up your chocolate into small pieces. Set aside for now.
  2. Heat milk in a pot over low heat until small bubbles begin to form. Stir frequently, or use a whisk to create a froth.
  3. Remove pot from heat and add tea. We recommend putting the tea into filter bags to make the tea easier to remove at the end. Let steep for about 5 minutes depending on taste preference.
  4. Remove the tea and place pot of milk back on stove over low heat, whisking with a whisk to build up the foam again, if desired.
  5. Add chopped chocolate to the hot milk. Stir with a whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Remove from heat.
  6. Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy!

 

Russian Tea *8 Servings

Mulled and spiced drinks have been a winter holiday tradition for centuries. Originally, many of these recipes called for alcohol to be used. Our recipes use tea of course! We find that English Breakfast Tea is the best black tea to use here. With all the other ingredients, you need a tea with a solid base and not too much strong flavor on its own.

What You’ll Need:

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 ¼ cups pineapple juice
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 12 teaspoons of black tea with tea filter bags
  • 12 whole cloves
  • 4 cinnamon sticks (divided)
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 2-3 quarts hot water (to taste)
  • 1 orange (sliced and quartered)

Instructions:

  1. In a slow cooker, combine the sugar, pineapple juice, orange juice and lemon juice.
  2. In a large measuring cup, place the tea (in filter bags), cloves and cinnamon sticks.
  3. Pour the hot water over the tea and let it steep for 5 minutes.
  4. Strain the tea into the sugar and juice mix. Discard the cinnamon sticks and cloves that you strained out.
  5. Add 2-3 quarts of hot water, to taste. Add 2 quarts in immediately, then add more water until you get the taste you like.
  6. Add the 2 remaining cinnamon sticks to the tea and cover the slow cooker. Cook on low until heated through.
  7. To garnish, slice an orange into thin slices, then halve or quarter them if you'd like. Place it in the cup on top of the tea.
  8. You can also serve the tea from the slow cooker. You can decorate the top with orange slices and cinnamon sticks if you'd like.

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