Silkroad Chai

A while ago, one of the local tea shops had a little class/preview session of the Tea Forte mixology set. You get 2-3 bags of each of their mixology teabags, two little steeping containers, and a recipe book.

I couldn’t resist. Booze + Tea? YAY!!!

My favorite of the set is the silk road chai – which I use to make white Russian chai drinks. Take the chai bag, steep in vodka, then mix with simple syrup and a milk product. Tres YUM.

Since I got this set, I’ve been experimenting with making a Earl Grey white Russian (and the testing process has been lovely) using other brands of tea. You can use any teabag to infuse in the liquor. And, if you go with Tea Forte, their teabags are strong enough to infuse multiple times (their literature leads you to think otherwise).

If you do not shun liquor, this may be something interesting to try. Their set is a nice way to start, but not necessary. Cheers!

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 infuser
Water: 50ml Goldschläger
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes
Served: Cold

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: spicy, peppery
Steeped Tea Smell: cinnamon
Flavor: cinnamon
Body: Full
Aftertaste: peppery
Liquor: translucent orange-red

O.M.G. the cinnamon burns

Post-Steep Additives: ice, seltzer

Mellower on the burning, it has potential, perhaps in a cream liquor?

http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/tea-forte-teabag-black-tea-silkroad.html

I brewed this in ginger ale, and am loving the result. It is bubbly, sweet, and very nicely spiced. The cinnamon and ginger are prominent, with the cardamom offering low notes in the background. The black tea isn’t incredibly strong, but it’s there. Very tasty mocktail!