Beverages Recipe

Boil water

Bring fresh cold water to a rolling boil for black tea, coffee, and chai. For green tea heat water until steaming but not fully boiling (around 175°F / 80°C). Use about 8 oz (240 ml) water per standard cup.

Brew black or green tea

Place the tea bag or loose-leaf tea (use an infuser) into a cup. Pour 8 oz of hot water over tea. Steep black tea 3–5 minutes, green tea 2–3 minutes. Remove the bag or leaves and discard.

Brew chai

If using chai tea bag: place 1 chai bag in cup and pour 6 oz boiling water; steep 3–4 minutes. If using chai concentrate: warm 3 oz concentrate and combine with 5 oz hot water or steamed milk to taste. Add 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon and 1–2 whole spices (slightly crushed) while steeping for extra flavor. Remove spices/tea bag.

Prepare coffee

For instant coffee: dissolve 1 tsp instant coffee in 8 oz hot water. For drip coffee: brew 8 oz using 1 tsp ground coffee per 6–8 oz water (adjust to machine settings). For espresso-based drinks, use appropriate espresso shots and steamed milk.

Add milk and sweetener

If making milk tea, latte, or serving milk with coffee: steam or heat 1/2–1 cup milk and add to brewed beverage. Stir in sugar or honey to taste (start with 1 tsp). For chai latte, combine brewed chai with steamed milk in a 1:1 ratio or as preferred.

Serve

Serve hot beverages immediately in a pre-warmed cup. Provide extra sweetener and milk on the side if desired.

Brew strong tea

Place 2 black tea bags in 6–8 oz of boiling water and steep 4–6 minutes to make a stronger concentrate so flavor holds up when iced. Remove tea bags and let cool briefly.

Sweeten while warm: stir in 1 tsp simple syrup (or sugar dissolved in a small amount of hot water) so it dissolves fully.

Assemble: fill a tall glass with 1 cup ice. Pour 12 oz cold water over the ice and add the cooled brewed tea concentrate to fill the glass (or pour concentrate over ice and top with cold water). Stir gently. Garnish with a lemon slice if desired.

Serve with a straw and optional extra sweetener on the side.

Chilled bottles/cans: serve the chosen soft drink or bottled mineral water chilled. Open just before serving. For S.Pellegrino or Acqua Panna 500 ml, present on a coaster with a glass and a lemon slice or ice on request (do not pour sparkling water into a glass with ice if the guest prefers to preserve carbonation).