sweet nothings toddy-vertical-crdt tina rupp

Sweet Nothings Hot Toddy

Photo: Tina Rupp

December 03, 2015

Warming rooibos and bourbon fuel this wintry hot toddy.

Spice things up with this hot toddy combining bourbon with a black pepper–infused rooibos.

Ingredients

3 oz. brewed tea base
3 oz. milk
1½ oz. bourbon
1 Tbsp. granulated sugar

Tools:tea linen or tea ball, saucepan, spoon
Glass:mug
Garnish:cinnamon stick and freshly ground cinnamon

Preparation

To make the tea base, heat 6 oz. of water until hot (but not boiling) and pour into a heat-safe container. In a tea linen or tea ball, combine 1¼ tsp. of rooibos, ½ tsp. of chopped vanilla bean and ¼ tsp. of black peppercorns. Brew in the hot water for 5 minutes, gently agitating from time to time. Remove the tea sachet/ball. Pour 3 oz. of the tea base into a saucepan. Add the milk, bourbon and sugar. Let it sit over low heat for 5 minutes, or until the sugar dissolves. Pour into a heat-safe mug and garnish.

Reprinted with permission from Wise Cocktails: The Owl’s Brew Guide to Crafting & Brewing Tea-Based Beverages by Jennie Ripps and Maria Littlefield. Published by Rodale.