A Snow Day Favorite: Chocolate Chai Latte Mix

 

Spiced Tea Mix has been a wintertime staple most of my life. It's definitely a product of the 1960s: Among the ingredients is Tang, the orange drink that was advertised as the drink of astronauts to us kids watching Major Astro after school in the 1960s. 

My mom had a jar of homemade Spiced Tea Mix in our kitchen Lazy Susan, and we often warmed up with a steaming mug of the tea mix, fragrant with warming spices. I usually make a large recipe of mix near Christmastime and put some in my own cabinet, as well as filling jars for Christmas gifts. Brent always gets some in his Christmas stocking.

Hot chocolate mix was another popular mix during my childhood. This year, before Christmas, I saw a recipe for Chocolate Chai Latte Mix. It was intriguing enough that I decided to give it a try. I made some and liked it well enough that I also made extra batches to give away in gift bags this holiday season.

It has some similar ingredients to a hot cocoa mix, but it also includes instant tea and several spices, including cardamom. I had some cardamom in my cabinet, but it's not a spice I use frequently. So I bought a new jar before trying out the mix.

Wednesday's snowy day had me pulling the jar from the cabinet for a tasty warm-up.  Even though it's great on its own, I've also used the Chai Latte mix to flavor my coffee. That's tasty, too!

 

Chocolate Chai Latte Mix

From The Kitchen Is My Playground Blog

1 c. nonfat dry milk powder
1 c. powdered nondairy creamer

1 c. French vanilla powdered nondairy creamer

1 1/2 c. granulated sugar
1 1/2 c.unsweetened instant tea 

1/2 c. unsweetened baking cocoa powder
2 & 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
2 & 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 & 1/8 tsp. ground cardamom

1 & 1/8 tsp. ground cloves

In a food processor, combine all ingredients; cover and process until powdery. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to about 6 months. 

 

To prepare 1 serving: Dissolve 3 T. of mix in 1 cup boiling water; stir well. Add more or less to taste.

Warm to Your Toes

I don't know why I wait until I'm having company to make this tea. In the wintertime, this tea - or one of its many cousins - is the beverage of choice when I host a meeting and want to offer something besides coffee. It's also the perfect non-prescription antidote for fighting a cold or battling with winter. With the tea and the Vitamin C, this is like a cup of TLC.

I looked through lots of cookbooks and put together this recipe from a conglomeration of several.  I cut the amount of sugar to cut the calories. I used brown sugar instead of granulated for the flavor. If it's not sweet enough to suit you, add in some additional sugar or you could add a packet of artificial sweetener to your mug. It's certainly not a diet drink, but it does warm you up and make you feel all cozy - whether it's a cold day or you're just suffering from a cold. Enjoy!

Cranberry Tea

1 qt. cranberry juice cocktail
1 1/2 cups orange juice
2 cups pineapple juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
2 tsp. whole cloves
2 tsp. whole allspice
3 cups orange pekoe tea or cinnamon apple tea or orange zinger tea

In a saucepan, combine juices and brown sugar. Combine spices into cheesecloth or put in a coffee filter and tie at the top. Put spices in with the juices and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove the spices. Add hot tea to the cranberry juice mixture; mix. Serve hot or cold. Garnish with fresh orange or lemon slices, if desired. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

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Today, I'm linked to Wichita blogger Ashley at her Kitchen Meets Girl What's In Your Kitchen Wednesday. I'm so excited that she featured my Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup from last week! Be sure and check out all the yummy recipes today at Kitchen Meets Girl and go back and visit her often!