Just got in for the cold and the rain. Time for a cup of hot tea.

Make that hot spiced tea, chai.

Make that spiked spiced tea: chai with a hit of bourbon or rum. If you want to add more, go ahead: You can make this the tea version of Irish Coffee.

If you don’t have any chai bags or loose leaves, make your own from Recipe #2 below.

RECIPE #1: CHAI WITH SPIRIT (BOURBON, RUM, ETC.)

Ingredients For 3 Tea Cups Or 2 Mugs

 
Preparation

1. HEAT the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, then add the tea, sweetener, vanilla, cinnamon and optional cayenne. Stir and reduce the heat to low, heating for another 2 minutes (keep your eye on the pot). Remove from the heat and allow to steep for 5 minutes.

2. STRAIN into a liquid measuring cup or small pitcher with a lip. Add the bourbon. If the mixture has cooled a bit, stick it in the microwave for 30 seconds.

3. POUR into cups and serve.

 
RECIPE #2: CHAI TEA BLEND

If you don’t have some of the ingredients, you can make do with what you have.

[1] On a chilly day, pour some spirits into the chai (photo courtesy Charles Chocolates). [2] No chai at home? Mix it up from your spice shelf (photo courtesy Foodie Underground).