I have been working on this recipe for a while. I think I have got it to where its awesome, my personal opinion of course. Any suggestions welcome though.
Put 1.5 to 2 cups of cold fresh water in a small pot or sauce pan.
Add 1 tsp whole cloves
1/2 tsp black peppercorns
1 cinnamon stick
1 nutmeg, cut in half
1/2 inch fresh ginger thinly sliced
1 whole star anise, or 1/2 tsp of broken peices
4 whole green cardamom pods, crushed
Bring to boil over medium high heat. Then turn down to low medium and simmer for 10 minutes. Then remove from heat, add 2 tsp CTC assam tea, steep for 3 min.
Strain into a cup. Add 1 tsp white sugar, and 2% milk to taste.
Enjoy!
Notes: I have tried using allspice but do not like the flavour.
If you simmer for too long the black peppercorns make the mixture quite peppery.
I do not like using any powdered form of the above spices. The nutmeg needs to be cut in half in order to release the flavour.
I tried using rock sugar, brown sugar, honey and maple syrup to sweeten it, but still come back to using white sugar.
I have tried using darjeeling tea, blending darjeeling with assam, and blending with green tea, but I prefer straight assam.
