There is nothing better than encircling yourself in a hot cup of tea to keep warm when winter closes in. For generations, tea has been used as a treatment for cold weather because of its many flavours and reassuring warmth. Here are the top tea recipes to keep you warm this winter, whether you prefer a traditional cup or something a little more daring.

Classic Masala Chai.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup milk 
• 2 tbsp of The Tea Shelf English Breakfast Black Tea leaves
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• 4-5 cardamom, crushed
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2-3 cloves
• Sugar or honey to taste

How to brew?

• Add the water into milk & start boiling. 
• Add spices to the milk & simmer for 2-3 minutes.
• Add tea leaves and brew for 2-3 minutes.
• Add the sugar or honey as per the taste and stir it properly. 

Your tea is ready! Pour it into the cups & feel the warmth. 

The warming spices not only heat you up but also boost immunity.

Kesar Chai.

 Ingredients:

•       The Tea Shelf Assam Second Flush Chai (CTC Tea) 5-6 teaspoons. 
•       100 mls of drinking water.
•       300 mls of milk.
•       Jaggery powder 4-5 tbsp. 
•       Kashmiri Saffron, 2-3 pinches. 
•       2-3, cardamoms.

How to brew?

•       Mix the water and milk and boil it.
•       Add the cardamom to the boiling milk. 
•       Switch off the flame once the milk is fully boiled.
•       Add the tea to it and stir it for 2-3 minutes until the colour changes.
•       Strain the tea into a tea bowl.
•       Add the jaggery powder as per taste and mix properly.
•       At last, add a pinch of kesar to the chai and stir it for 1 minute.
•       Pour the tea into cups and garnish the tea with saffron petals. 

The richness of saffron will keep you warm in winter. 

Classic Black Tea Hot Toddy.

Ingredients:

• . 2 cups of water.
• . 2 tbsp of The Tea Shelf English Breakfast Black Tea.
• . 2-3 ounces of dark rum
• . 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
• . 2 cloves.
• . 2 cinnamon sticks.
• . 2 lemon rings
• . A pinch of nutmeg powder.
• . 4-5 tablespoons of honey.

 How to brew?

• Boil the water up to 80-90 degrees Celsius.
• . Add nutmeg powder & cloves to the water.
• . Switch off the flame once boiled.
• . Add the tea to the boiled water and brew for 2-3 minutes.
• . Strain the tea into a bowl.
• . Add lemon juice, rum, and honey.
• . Stir it properly till flavour comes.
• . Pour it into mugs.
• . Garnish with cinnamon sticks and lemon rings.

Tulsi Ginger Green Tea.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 1-inch ginger, sliced
• The Tea Shelf Tulsi Ginger Green Tea 2 tbsp. 
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1-2 tablespoons honey

How to brew?

• Boil the water up to 80 degrees Celsius. 
• Add the ginger while the tea water is boiling. 
• Switch off the flame & add tea leaves to the boiled water. 
• Brew it for 2-3 minutes. 
• Add lemon juice & honey to it. 
• Strain the tea into cups. 

Your tea is ready! This simple yet effective tea soothes sore throats and keeps you warm on frosty days.

Chamomile Cocktail Recipe.

Ingredients:

• 3-4 tbsp granulated sugar.
• 3-4 tbsp honey.
• 100 ml of water
• 5-6 tea bags of The Tea Shelf’’s Pure Chamomile Herbal Tea
• 2 Ounces Gin
• 30 ml of lemon juice
• Ice cubes

How to brew?

• Boil water up to 80 degrees Celsius
• Dip the tea bags in it & brew it for 2-3 minutes.
• Remove the tea bags.
• Add sugar and honey to it. Stir the tea until the granulated sugar & honey dissolve well.
• Take a shaker, pour ice cubes, lemon juice, gin into it. 
• Shake it until it mixes well. 
• Now pour the beverage into cocktail glasses & serve it to your guests. 

Cinnamon Orange Tea.

Ingredients:

• Orange juice (4 medium size oranges)
• 2 cups of water
• 2 cloves
• 2 tbsp of The Tea Shelf Darjeeling First Flush Tea.
• One cinnamon stick
• Honey as per taste

How to brew?

• Add the juice to the water & boil it up to 80-100 Celsius. .
• Add the spices.
• Add Black tea and brew it for 3-4 minutes
• Strain the tea to the cups.
• Add honey as preferred.

Serve hot with love!

The vibrant citrus notes and cinnamon spice create a refreshing yet cozy brew.

Tips for the Perfect Winter Tea Experience:

• Use fresh ingredients: Fresh spices and herbs make a noticeable difference in flavour.
• Experiment with sweeteners: Honey & maple syrup can be used in the beverage considering the taste & suitability. 
• Serve with snacks: Pair your tea with winter favourites like cookies, scones, or nuts for a complete experience.
• Keep it warm: Use a teapot with a cozy or a thermal mug to keep your tea hot longer.

The joy of tea is best enjoyed in the winter. These recipes will bring some warmth and taste to your cold-weather days, whether you're lounging with a book beneath a blanket or hosting guests by the fireside.