teaspoons & petals

raise your glass: tea cocktails

You have your favorite morning blend, an afternoon pick-me-up and night time, wind down herbal brew. And maybe, just maybe, you can't get enough of that happy hour tea cocktail that sends you well into the weekend. I for one enjoy a nice green tea margarita now and then (recipe coming soon). So, I was thrilled to see that The World Tea Expo had created a contest to find the best tea cocktail. Not only have I discovered a new summertime hobby (tea cocktail happy hour at my place), but I also noticed that a friend from the tea world had entered her drink in the running. Tea extraordinaire, Lindsey Goodwin of Vee Tea, has concocted an oh so delicious Oolong Champagne:

Oolong Champagne Vee Tea, Lindsey Goodwin Tea Used: Powdered Green Oolong Tealeaves You've heard of Champagne Oolong. Well, this is Oolong Champagne. Just as delicious, but with the intoxicating kick of champagne. Powdered pouchong tea makes this cocktail a breeze for foodservice.

Please support Lindsey's amazing tea creation and vote for her ASAP (before March 23rd). After you've voted, go ahead and reward yourself with a tea cocktail. And if you're so inclined, why not share the recipe here!

you ' re invited to a spring tea party

I am so very excited to co-host this Spring Tea Party with Heather of Vintage Connection. We will be serving delicate, loose leaf, floral teas from kokomo tea, Cha Cha tea and auraTeas along with scrumptious cupcakes from Open Source Cupcakes. And after you've satisfied your sweet tooth and need for tea, you might come across a spring accessory or dress to freshen your spring wardrobe. I will be showcasing countless haiku teacups and tea sets (new colored cups will be available). I will also be taking custom orders for any upcoming special events (birthdays, bridal showers, mother's day).  So come celebrate the first day of Spring (march 20th) and coincidentally the 1 year anniversary of this very tea blog! hooray!  hope to see you there!

some of the sweeter things in life...

I consider myself to be a tea purist as I don't often reach for a tea additive (milk, honey, sugar...not even vodka). Although, agave has been a trusty tea companion when I have oversteeped a blend to an extreme state of bitterness. But as I dream of warmer weather and iced tea, my mind begins to wander to some sweet tea concoctions. That being said, I am quite tempted to add some sugar crystals from Adagio to a fresh brewed mint iced tea.

An ideal tea sweetener, these crystals are sugar in its purest form. If you like your tea sweet, there's no better way to impart savory notes to your favorite cup. Adding a few sugar crystals will sweeten tea without distorting its flavor profile, pleasing both your sweet tooth and taste buds.

how do you sweeten your tea?

she asked me a question...

A few weeks ago, I received a message on etsy from Kacey asking if I was interested in answering a few questions related to my haiku cups for her blog, JOLT'S RAMBLINGS. Saying "yes" would prove to be a fabulous decision, as the questions that followed were truly thought provoking. I thought I would share one of my favorite questions along with the answer: 4. If you could sell your work to anyone anywhere in the world? (to who and where would it be? I have actually thought about this before and have a million answers. Although the first response that came to mind is, the Corpo di ballo del Teatro alla Scala , which is probably the best known Italian ballet company. I adore everything about Italy and always imagine that enjoying tea after a ballet performance would be divine. I would feel so honored if they purchased my cups. I envision visiting the dance company to deliver the cups. I would sit with the dancers after watching the graceful ballet and share thoughts over a cup of tea in my haiku cups.    she asked me 8 more fabulous questions that you can read here....

tea for two

there are some friends that you hold near and dear to your heart. I am fortunate to have such a friend, Sara.  A few months ago I visited her to celebrate a belated white Christmas (it snowed quite a bit that day and made the belated celebration feel rather festive). As soon as I stepped into her apartment, my eyes were quickly drawn to the tea party that was awaiting me on her kitchen table. the delicate cups balanced so effortlessly on stacks of brightly patterned dishes and bowls. I poured myself a cup of tea (at the moment, the specific kind has slipped my mind), and added the fresh acidity of lemon juice to brighten the taste. a dab raw honey slowly moved from spoon to tea, adding just a bit of sweetness (and texture in the last sip). she would then fill bowls with fresh fruit and ginger yogurt. hours and many laughs later, we made our way out onto the street and into the wintry wonderland of NYC, just so that we could nibble on a delectable cupcake from Magnolia Bakery. the perfect ending to a most wonderful tea party. tea for two has never been better. alice's party could never compare.