Jasmine-Pistachio Matcha Latte
Makes 4 ½ cups
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon & 2 teaspoons jasmine green tea
• 1¾ cups pistachios, raw and unsalted
• 2 cups whole milk
• 4 teaspoons matcha green tea powder
• 2 tablespoons honey
• Cheesecloth
• Optional: pinch of sea salt
Bring one cup of water to a boil and let cool to 175 degrees. Steep jasmine tea for four minutes. Strain leaves and add tea to an airtight jar filled with 1¾ cups pistachios. Seal airtight and refrigerate overnight. Add pistachios, jasmine green tea, honey, milk, and matcha to a blender and blend until liquefied. (Note: If using a strong blender, you may be able to liquefy completely. If you are still left with pistachio solids, strain entire mixture through cheesecloth for smooth consistency). Chill in the fridge before serving. For a twist, serve with a small pinch of sea salt.
Earl Grey Hot Cocoa with Orange Blossom Earl Grey Whipped Cream
Makes two cups
Whipped Cream
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons orange blossom water
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 2 teaspoons Earl Grey tea
Add cream and orange blossom water to small pot over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Stir in honey until dissolved, then stir in the Earl Grey. Take off the burner and steep for fifteen minutes. Strain the leaves, pour into airtight container and let cool in the fridge for an hour. When ready to serve the Earl Grey hot cocoa, whisk the mixture by hand or with an electric whisk until light and airy. The cream can also be served from a chargeable dispenser.
Earl Grey Hot Cocoa
• 2 cups whole milk
• 4 teaspoons Earl Grey tea
• 2-3 ounces chocolate syrup, or sweetened cocoa powder
Heat two cups of milk to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in the Earl Grey, take off the heat and let steep for ten minutes. Strain the leaves. Stir in the cocoa (amount according to directions of your particular mix) or chocolate syrup, testing desired sweetness, and top with orange blossom Earl Grey whipped cream. Optional: Top whipped cream with chocolate shavings.
Note: To make a batch of this tea infusion ahead of time, infuse the warm milk with tea, strain, mix in the chocolate and refrigerate in an airtight container. Heat tea-infused hot cocoa via steamwand.
Spiced Hojicha Green Tea
Makes two cups
• 3 cups water
• 5 tablespoons Hojicha green tea
• 1/3 cup fresh ginger, sliced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons honey
Bring three cups of water to a boil, cool to 185 degrees and steep the tea for four minutes. Strain the leaves. Heat tea in a medium pot over medium-high heat until boiling. Lower to a simmer and add ginger. Simmer for fifteen minutes. Strain the ginger and stir in the lemon juice and honey until dissolved. Serve hot.
Note: Make this tea infusion ahead of time. Infuse the hojicha with ginger, lemon, and honey, refrigerate in an airtight container, and heat to serve.
Horchaita
Makes three cups
• 1/3 cup long grain white rice
• 1½ cups water
• 2 tablespoons masala chai tea
• One 2-inch piece Mexican cinnamon stick (or substitute regular cinnamon stick)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1½ cups rice milk
• Ground cinnamon, for serving
Bring water to a boil and steep chai for five minutes. Strain leaves and cool tea until warm. While cooling, grind the rice in a blender so it is in fine pieces (think coarse cornmeal). Pour warm tea over the rice in the blender and add the cinnamon stick. Cover and refrigerate for at least eight hours, but preferably overnight.
Remove the cinnamon stick, then puree the rice and tea until it’s completely smooth. For a truly smooth texture, strain the mixture through cheesecloth, extracting as much liquid as possible (note: if working with high-power blender the cheesecloth may not be needed). Pour the rice and tea mixture into a small pot on the stove and warm over medium heat until hot. Stir in the milk and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Bring to a simmer and serve immediately with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a spoon.
Note: Infuse the rice with tea/cinnamon stick and blend with rice milk and sugar ahead of time, then refrigerate in an airtight container. Heat until very hot via stove or hot plate. Be sure to stir well.
—Story and photos by Alexis Siemons, tea writer and consultant. Alexis blogs about her steeped adventures at teaspoonsandpetals.com.