Dirty Chai Toddy a bracing, warm pick-me-up amid January chill
The miso-laden, carb-free, vegetablefilled recipes are coming. It is January, after all.
But I think we need one last indulgence. The holidays are exhausting, whether you pulled off a perfect Rockwellian table with Christmas carols or had to deal with unpleasant relatives. It may have been a fun holiday, or perhaps a lonely one, but either way it’s time to take a deep breath and gear up for the rest of winter.
January and February can feel bleak. We are far, far away from the green breath of spring and there are still lots of frigid temperatures, slick roads and piles of gray parking lot snow to face over the next eight to 12 weeks.
Enter the Dirty Chai Toddy: Chai latte meets espresso meets booze.
The spices in this chai tea are warm and bracing, with all of the antioxidants and antibacterial properties that go along with tea and spices. The cream is luxurious, the espresso energizing; and the bourbon adds just a little touch of wickedness.
There is no ideal time of day to drink this drink, as it is caffeinated and alcoholic, but I trust you will figure something out. If not, just customize it to your mood and leave out the espresso if it’s late and the bourbon out if it’s early. Or not — I’m not here to judge.
If you’re getting home from a hard day of work on a Thursday or Friday and you have evening plans, a quick nap and a cup of this will have you ready to hit the town.
Need to power through dinner and bedtime with children who have seemingly turned into gremlins? Drink this.
Having afternoon tea with a relative who is judgmental and has different politics from yours? Serve them regular chai, but make yours a dirty toddy. You will be smiling the whole time because you know what’s in your cup.