Warm to the Core: Spiced Apple Tea

Your everyday cuppa is getting cosy.

Cloudy apple juice, warming cinnamon and a slice of orange give black tea a rather lovely change of scene. Gently fruity, fragrant and easy to make, this is one for wrapping your hands around.

Try it with The Full English, All Day English or Earl Great. Same cosy idea, a slightly different character in every cup.

How to make it

1. Put the apple juice, cinnamon stick and orange slice into a small saucepan.

2. Warm gently for five minutes, keeping it just below a simmer.

3. Meanwhile, brew your chosen tea in 200ml of freshly boiled water for the time recommended on the pack.

4. Strain the tea into a large mug, then pour in the warm spiced apple juice.

5. Stir and taste. Add a little honey or sugar if you’d like it sweeter.

6. Finish with the orange slice and cinnamon stick, then get comfortable.

Which tea should I use?

The Full English gives you a bold, familiar base that stands up nicely to the apple and cinnamon. A good place to start if you love a proper black tea.

All Day English makes a lovely decaf version for evenings when you fancy something warm and comforting.

Mighty Masala adds little extra warming spice for a truly indulgent mug.

Whichever you choose, stick to the brewing time on the pack. Leaving the leaves in longer can add bitterness rather than the fuller flavour you’re after.

Do I need honey or sugar?

Try it without first. Apple juice brings its own sweetness, and you may find that’s all it needs.

If you prefer a sweeter cup, stir in half a teaspoon of honey or sugar while the drink is hot. Start small - you want the tea and spice to have their moment too.

Make a little more

Making this for two? Double the ingredients, using one or two cinnamon sticks depending on how much spice you fancy.

For a larger batch, warm the juice, cinnamon and orange together in a saucepan, then brew the tea separately and combine just before serving. Remove the tea leaves once brewed so your second cup is as good as your first.

Make it your moment

Pour a mug after a walk, keep it beside you while you settle into a book or put a pan on when friends drop round.

It also makes a lovely alcohol-free alternative when you fancy something warm, spiced and a little more special than your usual.

Proper tea, spiced apple and a little orange.

Cosy, right to the core.