Spiced Hot Toddy

I had this warm, and it was really pleasant. It’s mildly spiced and fruity. I didn’t notice the black tea in the taste, but it wasn’t thin or lacking in flavor. Not something I’d order, but I’m glad I tried it! The strongest flavors were probably cinnamon and apple, but it managed to not taste like the million other teas with this flavor profile.

I still have plenty of teas from Cuppa Geek, but this is finally my last sample from the advent calendar! I really enjoyed most of the flavors, and at $18 for 26 teas, there’s no better deal out there. I’ll buy one every year if there is one!

CuppaGeek Advent Calendar – Day 17

I have never had a hot toddy that I can recall. I know what they are but have never personally made one. From this, I would assume they are a combination of tea, citrus (specifically lemon/orange), and cinnamon. I am pretty sure that’s not super far off. I also get apple – which seems like it should be at home in a hot toddy but I don’t believe it is.

This is pretty cozy. It’s got a nice balance of citrus and spice, the former being a brighter flavor that sits on top while the latter gives this depth. Nothing screams alcohol to me, which is nice for my tastes. And the black tea base peeps through slightly to tie together the citrus and spice. Just a very cozy cuppa perfect for a snow-filled day!

advent day 14

This one smelled amaaaaazing. It was kinda like apple cider but not and man was i in heaven having it in the room while i was working. That aside i did NOT love the taste. It wasn’t really a hot toddy to me and there was a bit of bitterness coming through in the base that didn’t work for me. Oh well, can’t win them all. On aroma alone this would be like a 97 haha

Advent Day 10, From the Depths of the Grab Bag.

“Packet smells like that tiger tea.

I smell cinnamon, star anise, maybe a little licorice, a little licorice in there? Uh, maybe a little orange. Well, there’s something astringent in there like rosehips or something. I’ve had this before I think. It smells kinda like Constant Comment. Uh, maybe some apple, like apple cider. It’s ok. I say it’s a 6. Would I drink it again? I would drink it but I don’t crave it. Well?"

Cuppageek Advent Day 11

Wake up was much better this morning, without the “rock on chest” feeling.

I did ruminate over the breakfast menu a bit, not really wanting sweet today but savory, but my husband is coming home early from work and we plan to have outside gong fu after lunch (it is supposed to be 68F which is 20C!!!), so I don’t need a big breakfast since I will be having an actual lunch instead of splitting a bag of broccoli with Sam.

I quickly settled on cheese toast with mustard and stood on tiptoe to get my tea.

Well, well, well! Starting the day with a Spiced Hot Toddy! I don’t think I have ever had a hot toddy. It sounds good, though!

This was great with my cheese toast and mustard. Serendipity! A floral tea would not have been a good pairing, but this is perfect.

The spices are right up my alley. How to describe it since I have never had a toddy? It is more like a mulled cider than a chai. There is fruitiness and nice, warming spices that never threaten to get hot. There is a tart tingle on the tongue from apple and hibiscus, but for all us hibby haters I will want to add that it is so light it could easily have been green apple and not hibby, but I had looked at the ingredients. The lemongrass contributes to the tart fruit vibe.

I enjoyed my second cup sprawled on the sofa listening to gmathis’ music recommendation from my yesterday’s tasting note and watching the bunnies play through the bow window.

Another Advent Tea session brought to you by CuppaGeek!

Ah well. Not in mood for trying being funny.

This tea is tasty. I noticed apple must, orange zests, raisins… such a good combo of all fruits that come to mind. There is little of clove and cinnamon making me feel it’s bit like a pie/cake, but missing the pastry part a bit.

Confounded bifocals…label on the Advent packet was too small for me to read. I’ll let somebody with 20/20 vision add the ingredients to the tea description.

However, whatever is in it (hunks of fruit; I think I saw a strand or two of lemongrass?) is absolutely delicious. Tastes like a rum and raisin fruitcake. The good kind—not the dried out and petrified mass market variety that people throw on the pay-it-forward snack table at work. Very well blended!