2 decadent homemade teas to warm you up inside

On a cold winter's day, few things are more soothing or relaxing than an aromatic cup of steaming tea. To warm up your insides when the weather gets nippy, here are two sweet 'n' spicy tea recipes that taste decadent but are easy to make.

"Chai" is the word used in various Indian languages and means "tea".  But make no mistake, chai isn't simply another cup of leaves boiled in hot water, it's an experience. The spicy and creamy tea drink has shot up in popularity in recent years as a lovely afternoon soother or stimulator. It's also easy and cheap to make your own.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 500 ml (2 c.) water
• 2 tea bags
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 6 cardamom pods, crushed
• 1 whole clove
• 1 ml (1/4 tsp.) ground ginger
• 600 ml (2 1/2 c.) milk
• 75 g (1/3 c.) sugar
• Whipped cream, ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks (optional)

Preparation instructions

1. In a small pot over moderately high heat, combine the first six ingredients; bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover the pot and simmer for five minutes.
2. Stir in the milk. Increase the heat and return the mixture to a boil; boil one minute. Remove the pot from the heat, place a sieve over a warmed teapot and pour the mixture through; discard the solids. Add the sugar and stir until dissolved.
3. To serve, pour into four mugs or cups and, if desired, top with a dollop of whipped cream, sprinkle with cinnamon and tuck a cinnamon stick along the side.

It's simple as pie to give extra zest to hot tea with this inviting spice mixture: it will make your kitchen smell fabulous while it warms you to your toes. No store-bought mix can match this hot spiced tea at any price. It's the perfect drink for a winter afternoon!

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Makes: 2.75 litres (3 qt.)

• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 6 to 12 whole allspice
• 5 ml (1 tsp.) whole cloves
• 3 L (12 c.) water
• 12 tea bags
• 250 ml (1 c.) packed brown sugar
• 250 ml (1 c.) cranberry juice
• 125 ml (1/2 c.) orange juice
• 50 ml (1/4 c.) lemon juice

Preparation instructions

1. Cut a 10-cm (4 in.) square of double-thickness cheesecloth. Combine the cinnamon sticks, allspice and cloves in the centre. Bring together the corners of the cheesecloth to form a bag; secure with a piece of kitchen string.
2. In a large, non-reactive pot or Dutch oven over high heat, combine the water and the spice bag; bring the water to a boil. Remove the pot from the heat and add the tea bags; cover the pot and let the tea steep for five minutes. Remove and discard the tea bags and spice bag.
3. Stir in the brown sugar until it has completely dissolved. Add the juices, stirring until the ingredients are well blended. Return the pot to low heat and gently heat the spiced tea through.

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