The year is almost over and 2016 is almost upon us! I, personally, am excited for new experiences, new books, and new butts to touch. But before you make this drink, feel free to pour one out for the year and celebrate some good things: gay marriage was legalized in the states, the U.S. discovered Canada has a hot new prime minister, and Pop Tarts came out with a maple bacon flavor.
Though the drink has a fancy name – Late Night at the Library – it’s essentially a blueberry hot toddy and it was admittedly very hard to conceptualize. I’m not much a tea person. I know nothing about tea. I’m not an avid tea drinker. My roommates are kind enough to let me steal a bag or two of theirs when I’m sick. Originally, when I told my lovely cohorts that I had planned to steep tea in booze, Elyse and Carrie were aghast that I wanted “to ruin perfectly good tea.” But I think I’ve found a happy medium.
If you haven’t read Elyse’s review of The Rogue Not Taken, I highly recommend it. She said it’s her favorite MacLean book to date, which is impressive because MacLean writes a damn fine romance. The dress on the cover is gorgeous and I immediately thought blueberries. The heroine also loves books and I know a lot of booklovers love tea (also, it’s getting colder and flu season is going to descend upon us). And, of course…there’s the honey scene.
You’ll know it when you read it.
I honestly love this drink because it’s something you can drink in the morning or at night. It smells like a blueberry scone and warms you all the way to your toes. I also pretty much guarantee that you’re going to want to start this book as soon as it shows up on your Kindle or on your porch or however/wherever you get your books, so it’s nice to have a spiked mug of tea ready and waiting. But hey, if you’d rather have a Manhattan first thing in the morning, that’s your prerogative.
Shopping list:
Blueberry tea
Orange liqueur
Whiskey
Proportions:
5 oz. of hot prepared tea
1 ½ oz. of orange liqueur
1 ½ oz. of whiskey
1 tablespoon of honey
Modifications and notes:
- Regarding the proportions, I’m operating on a mug that holds about 8 oz. Scale the amounts as needed!
- I know people prepare and steep their tea all sorts of ways, so use whatever tea routine you prefer.
- For my orange flavor, I used Grand Marnier, which gives me a stronger taste. If you want something milder, I’d suggest Triple Sec. Or if you’d prefer to leave this alcoholic part out, squeeze a little bit of orange.
- For the whiskey component, I found this awesome bottle of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey: Winter Jack, which has a hint of apples and cider and is a limited flavor during the winter. Feel free to use straight whiskey, if you’d prefer. Or even Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, especially if you have any left over from the Bourbon Lemonade recipe.
- For tea, I used Celestial Seasonings True Blueberry, which definitely tasted like blueberries! Feel free to experiment with different brands and different types of tea, since I know they vary in strength. I’d love to get some more blueberry or berry tea recommendations, since I’m really liking this so far.
And that’s it! A warm, Late Night at the Library with a good book. See you in 2016!
I still blush a little when I look at honey.
Thanks Amanda, hot toddies are my new passion. I had one at the office Christmas party because I had the traditional post Thanksgiving head cold and the thought of lemon, honey and whiskey sounded like heaven. Hot lemon juice releases a natural decongestant, honey for the raw throat and Jack so you don’t care how crappy you feel. Now I’m a little hooked and the littlest sniffle will is all the excuse I need. I’ll be adding this to my repertoire. I don’t have blueberry tea, but ginger peach tea might make a nice variation, and my throat’s a little dry this morning sooooo…..
Oh, and MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!
This sounds like it would go real well with the Saskatoon Berry Tea my Canadian friend sent. And I just happen to have some Grand Marnier and brandy left over from making truffles. I really need something warm and comforting and alcoholic after the week I’ve had.
I have been fangirling PM Trudeau all over the place, with his beautiful wife and adorable kids, dancing bhangra, dancing soca.. have you seen this one?
I don’t have any blueberry tea. Also no orange liqueur. Hmmm…
I have Lady Grey tea. And I have some strawberry liqueur.
I try to never be out of Jack.
So Lady Grey tea is flavored with bergamont, orange and lemon. Its a black tea so there’s caffeine. And while strawberries are not blueberries, they’re still a sweet berry.
It’s good! I added cream to mine. I take my tea with cream.
And a little bit of Jack.
Gotta go now, my Afternoon at the Library is getting lonely.
I really think it is the steam from the hot tea rather than lemon juice that helps a head cold and the analgesic effect of the Jack Daniels (substitute your favorite tipple). The Guardian has these recipes for a great toddy, http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2013/jan/02/how-to-make-the-perfect-hot-toddy
No, actually, it is the lemon juice, which has a natural decongestant in it. I always drink hot lemonade when I have a head cold. Now that I’ve had a hot toddy, I add whiskey and honey. Tea does nothing for congestion.