Warm Up Your Holidays: Festive Teas and Cozy Recipes

The holiday season is here, bringing with it the crisp chill of winter and the cozy warmth of gatherings with friends and family.

Snowberry Frost White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies:

 Ingredients (Yields 22-24 cookies):

• 3/4 cup salted butter, melted 
• 1 Tbsp Snowberry Frost Tea
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed 
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips 
• 1/2 cup craisins (dried cranberries)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Butter: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in the Snowberry Frost Tea. Steep for 5 minutes and strain. *Make sure you still have 3/4 cup of butter.

2. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

3. Mix the Sugars and Butter: In a large bowl, combine the infused melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and combined.

4. Add the Egg and Vanilla: Add in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, whisking until smooth.

5. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.

6. Fold in Mix-Ins: Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and craisins, ensuring they're evenly distributed throughout the dough.

7. Scoop and Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may look slightly soft—that’s perfect!

8. Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

These cookies combine the cozy flavors of Snowberry Frost Tea with the sweetness of white chocolate and the tartness of cranberries, creating a unique holiday treat. Enjoy! 

White Chocolate Peppermint Tea Latte

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp White Chocolate Peppermint Rooibos
• ½ cup boiling water
• 1 cup milk of choice (almond milk, oat milk, or dairy milk)
• Add 1/2 teaspoon of maple syrup for added sweetness

Instructions:

1. Steep the Tea: Place the White Chocolate Peppermint Rooibos in a tea infuser or t-sac, and pour the boiling water over it in a mug or heat-safe container. Let it steep for 5 minutes to develop a rich flavor.

2. Heat the Milk: While the tea steeps, heat your milk of choice in a small saucepan over medium heat until steaming but not boiling. For extra frothiness, whisk the milk vigorously or use a milk frother.

3. Combine and Serve: Remove the tea infuser or strain out the tea leaves, and pour the tea into a mug. Add the steamed milk, stirring gently to combine.

4. Optional Garnishes: For an extra festive touch, sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy or a dusting of white chocolate shavings.

This latte has the perfect balance of creamy white chocolate, refreshing peppermint, and cozy warmth—ideal for the winter season!

🎄☃️🎁

Gingerbread Black Tea Highlight✨

When the weather turns chillier and the days are growing ever shorter, the smell of fresh baking gingerbread is just what you need to feel cozy and content. Winter is a great time. A time to snuggle in with good books, a time to enjoy the slopes or the skating rink, and a time to delight your senses with aromatic spicy goodies.

Warm yourself from the inside out with this aromatic black tea blend. The brewed tea emits a heady, spicy aroma and the cup is perfectly proportioned. The flavors of gingerbread spices dance on your tongue, with no one spice overwhelming the others. Destined to be a spice lovers new favorite tea!

Gingerbread black tea is included in our Holiday Tea Sampler Giftbox , which includes a variety of 10 holiday teas. The perfect gift for any tea lover! 

🎄☃️🎁

Caffeine-Free Holiday Delights 

Caffeine-free holiday teas bring all the warmth and cheer of the season without the buzz, making them perfect for any time of day or night. These festive blends often feature naturally caffeine-free ingredients like  rooibos, hibiscus, and peppermint, paired with spices like cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla for a cozy, aromatic experience. 

Winter Wonderland Rooibos - 

A wonderful blend of green rooibos with cacao and cinnamon and flavored with Bavarian chocolate, cinnamon and hazelnuts. When we sampled this in our store we heard "Best rooibos ever!", "A new favorite", "Great everyday tea". It brews to a golden cup with the delicious aroma and taste of cinnamon baked goodies (we were reminded of apple fritters). Smooth and warming, this blend has the more pronounced taste of cinnamon and hazelnuts, while the Bavarian chocolate is an underlying taste that rounds out the other flavors. Delicious in every season!

Sugar Plum Fairy Rooibos - 

This green rooibos blend is caffeine free and is sure to be enjoyed by young and old alike. The reddish amber cup imparts a fruity, heady aroma. It has an interesting complex flavor that is a perfectly balanced blend of fruity, sweet and exotic. Like the Sugar Plum Fairy herself, this herbal blend has an elegant taste that is sure to become a classic. 

Pair your Sugar Plum Fairy tea with a scone and a dollop of Sugar Plum Preserves to create a perfectly sweet and enchanting holiday treat.

Candy Cane Rooibos, Organic - 

The aroma of the dry leaf is amazing - a definite mood booster - with its euphoric aroma of minty sweetness. When brewed, this herbal blend has a taste that is tingly, refreshing, and harkens me back to my childhood - or rather just last December….. The taste lingers delicately and deliciously on the tongue. A cup of this tea brings joy to our day and we hope it does the same for you!

Brew your Candy Cane Rooibos with a Candy Cane Teaball to add an extra dash of festive cheer to every sip.

🎄☃️🎁

As you sip your way through these festive S&V teas and try out new cozy tea recipes, we hope each cup and treat brings a little extra warmth to your holiday season. Whether you're sharing a brew with friends, enjoying a quiet moment by the fire, or creating new traditions, these flavors are meant to be savored and shared.

From the Simpson & Vail family to yours, we wish you a joyful and delicious holiday season filled with moments that warm the heart. Here’s to celebrating, sipping, and creating memories that last! 🌲🍵 Happy Holidays!