Category: Tea Time

Pour a cup and settle in. Explore tea-inspired recipes, classic favorites, and cozy beverages perfect for historical fiction, afternoon reading, and peaceful moments with a good book.

Posted in Tea Time

London Fog

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

Cozy London Fog Recipe for Book Lovers

Looking for an easy London Fog recipe to enjoy with your next cozy read? This simple Earl Grey tea latte combines fragrant Earl Grey tea, warm milk, vanilla, and a touch of lavender for a comforting drink that’s perfect for chilly afternoons, quiet reading time, or a little gothic mystery.

This simple London Fog as the perfect cozy drink to pair with Jaime Jo Wright’s The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall. The book’s eerie setting, mysterious bell tower, and gothic atmosphere practically begged for a warm cup of tea.

If you’re curious about the book that inspired this cozy tea pairing, you can read my full review of The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall, including my thoughts on the characters, mystery, faith, and all those deliciously creepy gothic vibes.

So grab your favorite mug, steep some Earl Grey, and settle in. You might even want to keep the lights on.

Ingredients

  • 1 Earl Grey tea bag
  • 8 ounces boiling water
  • 1/2 cup milk of your choice
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons honey or sweetener, optional

Instructions

  1. Place the Earl Grey tea bag in a mug and pour in 8 ounces of boiling water.
  2. Steep for about 5 minutes.
  3. While the tea steeps, warm the milk until hot and lightly steaming. You don’t need to boil it.
  4. Remove the tea bag.
  5. Pour in the warm milk and give it a gentle stir.

Posted in Tea Time

Lost Lake Blackberry Sage Spritzer

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

Inspired by: Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright

Some stories have a setting that becomes a character all its own. Souls of Lost Lake is one of those books.

With its mysterious lake, hidden secrets, haunting atmosphere, and layers of history waiting to be uncovered, this story creates a feeling of being surrounded by nature while searching for answers buried beneath the surface.

The Lost Lake Blackberry Sage Spritzer captures that same feeling: refreshing, a little mysterious, and rooted in the beauty of the natural world.

Perfect for slow reading sessions, warm evenings, and stories that invite you to look a little deeper.

Lost Lake Blackberry Sage Spritzer Recipe

Ingredients

  • ½ cup fresh blackberries
  • 4-5 fresh sage leaves
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • ¾ cup sparkling water
  • Ice

Instructions

  1. Add blackberries, sage leaves, lemon juice, and honey or maple syrup to a glass.
  2. Gently muddle the ingredients together until the blackberries release their juices and the flavors begin to blend.
  3. Fill the glass with ice.
  4. Pour sparkling water over the mixture and stir gently.
  5. Garnish with a few extra blackberries and a fresh sage leaf.

Cozy Variations

Make it a summer gathering drink:
Prepare a larger batch in a pitcher and serve over ice.

For a deeper berry flavor:
Let the muddled blackberry and sage mixture sit for a few minutes before adding sparkling water.

For a sweeter version:
Adjust the honey or maple syrup to your taste.

Posted in Tea Time

Lavender London Fog

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

Inspired by: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower

Some books feel like they belong in a certain setting. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion does not simply invite you to read it. It invites you to settle into a cozy chair, pour yourself a cup of tea, and prepare for a little laughter, a little drama, and quite possibly an opinionated gentleman in a very impressive morning coat.

This lavender London Fog feels like the perfect companion for Emma’s world.

Add a plate of buttery biscuits, and you have the perfect cozy escape.

Ingredients

For one serving:

  • 1 Earl Grey tea bag (or 1 tablespoon loose-leaf Earl Grey tea)
  • ¾ cup hot water
  • ½ cup milk of your choice (whole milk, oat milk, or almond milk)
  • ¼ teaspoon culinary lavender buds (or a lavender tea blend)
  • Optional: a small amount of sugar or sweetener, if desired
  • Optional: whipped cream and a sprinkle of lavender for topping

Instructions

  1. Bring water to a boil and pour over the Earl Grey tea and lavender buds.
  2. Let steep for 4-5 minutes until the tea is fragrant.
  3. Warm your milk over low heat until heated through. For a café-style drink, lightly froth the milk before adding.
  4. Strain the tea into your favorite mug.
  5. Slowly pour in the warm milk and stir gently.
  6. Top with whipped cream and a light sprinkle of lavender if desired.

Serve with your favorite biscuits, shortbread cookies, or a traditional scone.

Posted in Tea Time

Classic Earl Grey Tea with Honey and Cream

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

A simple, cozy cup that’s perfect for reading on a rainy afternoon or winding down after a long day.

Ingredients

  • 1 Earl Grey tea bag (or 1 teaspoon loose-leaf Earl Grey)
  • 8 ounces freshly boiled water
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons honey (adjust to taste)
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons heavy cream or half-and-half
  • Optional: A thin slice of lemon peel for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring water to a boil, then let it cool for about 30 seconds (around 200°F/93°C).
  2. Place the Earl Grey tea bag in your favorite mug.
  3. Pour the hot water over the tea and steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Steeping longer can make the tea slightly bitter.
  4. Remove the tea bag.
  5. Stir in the honey until completely dissolved.
  6. Slowly pour in the cream and stir gently until combined.
  7. Garnish with a strip of lemon peel if desired, and enjoy while warm.

Tips for the Perfect Cup

  • For a stronger tea: Use two tea bags or steep for 5 minutes.
  • For a creamier drink: Use heavy cream instead of half-and-half.
  • For a lighter version: Substitute whole milk or oat milk.
  • For extra coziness: Add a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon or a drop of vanilla extract.

Cozy Pairings

This tea pairs beautifully with:

  • Butter shortbread cookies
  • Lemon loaf
  • Blueberry scones
  • Vanilla pound cake
  • Almond biscotti

Makes: 1 serving
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

This is the kind of comforting tea that’s elegant enough for an afternoon tea but simple enough to become an everyday favorite.