Tea Cup Recipe

Boil water

Pour 2.5 cups of cold water into a kettle or saucepan and bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat (about 4–6 minutes depending on equipment).

Prepare tea and aromatics

If using loose leaves, place 2 tsp of black tea leaves into a tea infuser or directly into the saucepan. Add 2 slices of fresh ginger to the water if using for a spiced note.

Steep

Once the water reaches a boil, remove from heat and pour over the tea leaves (or add the tea leaves into the hot water). Let steep 3–5 minutes for black tea (3 minutes for milder, 5 for stronger). If you added ginger to the saucepan, allow it to steep with the tea.

Strain and sweeten

If the tea was steeped loose in the pot, strain into the tea cup. Stir in 1 tsp granulated sugar or 1 tsp honey while tea is hot so it dissolves fully. Taste and adjust sweetness.

Add milk or lemon

For a milk tea: warm 1/2 cup milk briefly (15–20 seconds in microwave or on stovetop) and add to the cup. Stir gently. For lemon tea: omit milk and add a squeeze (about 1/4 lemon) or a thin lemon slice; honey pairs well if using lemon. Do not add lemon and milk together (they will curdle).

Final garnish and serve

Add mint leaves or a lemon slice for garnish if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

Rinse out the kettle or saucepan and clean the tea strainer or infuser after it cools. Wash your cup or mug as usual.