3 Warming tea ciders

Stay warm this fall and winter with tea steeped in sweet cider.

When the temperatures outside drop, the temperatures in my cup rise. Just as a glass of iced tea can keep me cool during the summer months, I love to warm up with a cup of hot tea when there’s a chill in the air.

Like everything else in the kitchen, I like to experiment with different flavors in my tea. I recently discovered a drink called tea cider — tea steeped in hot cider. The combination of rich black tea and sweet, slightly spicy cider is enjoyable as is, but I’ve played with some additional ingredients to create several gourmet tea ciders: rosemary, chai and orange and ginger.

All of the recipes below yield one serving, but feel free to double or triple as desired. You can even make tea cider for a crowd in a large pot or slow cooker — just make sure to take the tea bags out after five minutes or so to prevent bitterness.

Orange-and-ginger tea cider

Serves 1

Adding fresh ginger and orange zest is one of my favorite ways to play with black tea, and the apple cider makes it even better by adding a warm sweetness.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (1 cup) apple cider
• Zest of half an orange
• 1/2-inch piece fresh ginger, cut into slices
• 1 tea bag (black tea)

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, bring the apple cider just to a boil.
2. Turn off the heat and add the orange zest, ginger slices and tea bag.
3. Steep for 3–5 minutes, pour through a fine mesh sieve and serve hot.

Rosemary tea cider

Serves 1

Rosemary adds a sophisticated, herbaceous flair to this tea cider.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (1 cup) apple cider
• 1 small sprig rosemary
• 1 tea bag (black tea)

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, bring the apple cider just to a boil.
2. Turn off the heat and add the rosemary and tea.
3. Steep for 3–5 minutes, then remove the rosemary and tea bag and serve hot.

Chai tea pear cider

Serves 1

You can make this tea cider with apple cider, but I particularly love chai with pear cider.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (1 cup) pear cider
• 1 tea bag (chai)

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, bring the cider just to a boil.
2. Turn off the heat and add the chai tea bag.
3. Steep for 5 minutes, then remove the tea bag or pour through a fine mesh sieve. Serve hot.

More hot tea recipes

Apple chamomile tea
Ginger-and-cognac tea
Spiced tea recipe