Spiced Earl Grey Milk Tea

I’m not much of a coffee drinker, but tea, well, that’s a drink I can get behind. Herbal, green, black, white, rooibos – I love it all! And after studying in China this summer, I fell even more in love with all things tea, especially nai chá (or “milk tea,” for those of us not so adept at Mandarin). It’s essentially tea with evaporated or condensed milk, so it’s richer and more satisfying than your average cup, and, take my word for it – it’s so good. As the temperature outside continues to drop, I find myself craving something warm, spicy and comforting, and this variation on the classic Chinese treat is nothing short of perfection.

Steeping the sachets in milk and adding flavors of rich vanilla bean, spicy cardamom and sweet honey elevate earl grey tea into something extra special, something meant to be shared with friends on a crisp autumn day. Serve the tea with your favorite biscotti for dipping and you have a delicious afternoon pick-me-up. So, grab your favorite mug and pull on your coziest sweater because, well, you’re in for quite a treat.