Drink of the Week: Spirit Tea Qi Lan Oolong

To celebrate our 2019 Imbibe 75 Issue, we’re introducing an Imbibe 75 Drink of the Week series. Through February, every week we’ll tap some of the people and places from the issue for recs on what they’re drinking right now. First up: Stay Golden in Nashville is one of the coffee shops highlighted in the issue, notable for its sustainable sourcing practices and roasting techniques. They also put the same thought into other beverages at the café, with a stellar lineup of beer, tea and wine. Beverage director Nathanael Mehrens says one of his favorite teas at the moment is the Qi Lan tea from Spirit Tea. “Spirit puts in a lot of effort to find and source some spectacular teas from small producers, and this Wuyi ‘Rock Tea’ from the Zhou family (a husband and wife team) in Lian Hua Feng, China is no exception,” he says. “It utilizes three low-heat, extended baking periods where the sweetness of the style is inspired and yields a complex and floral cup that finishes with peaches and honey.” $19, spirittea.co