Hot Tea Recipe

Heat water

Pour 2 cups (about 475 ml) of fresh cold water into a small saucepan or kettle. Bring the water to a near boil — for black tea heat until a rolling boil; for green or white tea heat until just before boiling (small bubbles form).

Add tea

If using loose tea, place 1 tablespoon of loose black tea into a tea infuser or directly into the saucepan. If using a tea bag, add one tea bag. If using optional whole spices or fresh ginger, add them now so their flavor infuses with the tea.

Steep

Remove the pan from heat and cover. Let the tea steep: 3–5 minutes for black tea (3 for lighter, 5 for stronger), 2–3 minutes for green tea, and 1–2 minutes for white tea. If you left spices or ginger in, steep on the longer side (4–6 minutes) for stronger spice flavor.

Strain

If you used loose tea or whole spices directly in the pan, pour the tea through a fine mesh strainer into a cup to remove leaves, spices and ginger slices. If you used a tea bag or infuser, simply lift it out and gently press to extract liquid, then discard.

Sweeten

Taste the brewed tea. Add 1 teaspoon of honey or sugar (or more to taste) and stir until dissolved.

Milk or lemon

If you prefer milk, warm 1/4 cup milk separately and add to the cup, then stir. If you prefer lemon, add a thin slice or a squeeze of lemon instead of milk (do not add lemon and milk together — lemon will curdle milk).

Adjust and finish

Adjust sweetness, milk or lemon to your preference. Remove any ginger or whole spices that remain. Give the tea a final stir.

Float a fresh mint sprig on top or rest it on the saucer for aroma. Serve immediately while hot.