Irish Creme Tea Latte'

As I continue to research recipes & cultures, I'm always excited to find something new to try...even a tweak to something...and something quick, too.

Stay with me, if you will...

This one is much like the TINGLING LEPRECHAUN I just recently shared, but this time, it's tea. It's Irish-inspired! It's delicious! And it's a shortcut...like I do.


So I found a flavor combo that is perfect for St. Patrick's Day, or anytime, really. Like most of my afternoons, lately.

Here's what I did:

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IRISH CREME TEA LATTE'

Ingredients:

* 1 T honey (preferably local) or agave
* 1 t ground cardamom
* Irish Creme creamer (I used Bailey's, of course, but International Delight is good, too)
* Milk
* 1-4 Irish Breakfast tea bags, depending how strong you want the tea (I used Barry's brand)
* 1 t vanilla extract (optional)


Directions:

~ in a large mug, add in the honey, cardamom, and the vanilla (if using)

~ fill the mug about 1/4 of the way up with the Irish Creme creamer

~ fill the rest of the mug up with the milk, *maybe leaving about a half inch at the top

~ heat in the microwave for about 2 minutes on high

~ once the milk/cream drink is super hot, add in the tea bag(s) in to the milk to steep for about 3-5 minutes

~ when time is up, remove the tea bag(s), carefully squeeze the access liquid back into the drink, and discard the tea bag(s)

~ stir the tea really well

~ relax & sip the deliciousness


Yield: 1

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*Note: If you have a milk-frother, take a few seconds to use it in the latte'. Seriously. That's why I left a little room at the top of the mug. If you don't want or need to froth your latte', just fill the mug to the top with the milk.

After being frothed; a delicious & fluffy tea latte'

If you want to froth your latte', but don't have a milk-frother, and want to have the frothy foam on the latte', here's a bit of a tweak you can try if you have a mason jar:
Proceed with the first 2 steps, but then only fill the mug with milk until the whole mug is only half full. Heat up the mug in the microwave for about 1 to 1 & a half minutes. Begin to steep the tea, and then try this SPEEDY FROTHING METHOD! Plus, it will probably give you enough to fix two of these delightful drinks to share with a friend.

The flavors mixed all together are delicious!! And will make you want to be in the Emerald Isle while enjoying your newfound tea! You should enjoy it with a delightful slice of APPLE IRISH CREAM CAKE! Trust me. You're welcome!

ENJOY!

Tingling Leprechaun

I love my coffee.

Yes, it's my vice. And it's ugly when/if I don't get it.

I do whatever I can to include my coffee in celebrations, too. Because I will have it! So I may as well include it into whatever holiday celebration. Amm-i-rite?

Around Cinco de Mayo & Dia de los Muertos, I will make my SPICY MEXI-MOCHA.
Much along the same lines, I have been making an Irish-inspired coffee for quite a while now. I thought I'd shared it here already, but then realized I had not! So I will do it now!

I've been enjoying this coffee drink both hot & cold. And I usually have it about once a week, and increases in consumption as St. Paddy's nears.

I, personally, am not a fan of the over-cheesy, "if it's green, it must be Irish," kind of thinking. Even though I love me a Shamrock Shake, I am not big on green mint stuff being used for St. Patrick's Day, either. Why? Because it's not authentic! However, I make a slight exception in this case. Why? Well...there's always cocktails & other drinks created with the most fun names...some even with a purpose! I created this drink (a coffee one) in 2008 while having a lot of time & resources on my hands at a stress-free job I had gotten. I went to the kitchen & grabbed my coffee, Irish Creme hot chocolate mix & found a chocolate-mint starburst hard candy in the candy dish, on my desk...so, I mixed them together. It seemed like it would taste pretty good...and it did! So much so, I played & tweaked to create this drink I still have about once a week, to this day!

Here's what I do:

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TINGLING LEPRECHAUN

Ingredients:

* 1 C freshly brewed coffee (non-flavored...just a delightful blend of your choice)
* 2 T chocolate syrup
* 4 T Irish Creme creamer
* 1 1/2 T chocolate/mint creamer
   (like International Delight York-flavor or Coffee Mate Peppermint Mocha -
     I prefer I.D.'s Peppermint Chocolate Truffle,
     but theirs disappointingly seasonal at Christmas)
* milk or half & half creamer
* ice - if making the iced version
* whipped topping (optional)

Directions for Hot:

~ brew the coffee

~ in a large mug, add in the chocolate syrup and flavored creamers

~ when the coffee is brewed, pour in the hot coffee into the mug

~ fill the rest of the mug up with the milk (I will use chocolate milk sometimes) or half & half

~ stir it all up, adding the whipped topping (if using)

~ begin to sip the deliciousness

Directions for Iced:

~ brew the coffee

~ in a tall glass, add in the chocolate syrup and flavored creamers

~ add in ice to fill about 1/4 of the glass

~ once the coffee is brewed, pour coffee into the glass & stir (ice will melt)

~ fill the glass almost to the top with the milk (I will use chocolate milk sometimes) or half & half

~ stir the coffee drink well

~ carefully add in some more ice until coffee reaches top of the glass

~ add the whipped topping (if using) and a straw

~ begin to drink the deliciousness

Tip: Use chilled coffee so it won't melt the ice nearly as quickly!

Yield: 1

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As a note: you can adjust these amounts of ingredients depending on your own tastes. Cut down on creamers & add more coffee, if you'd like. Or just add a splash of coffee & enjoy the the other flavors. I'm not there to judge.

On Sunday mornings, we are rushing around getting ready for church. I will make the iced version in a BIG travel cup (using about 3 times the amounts here...cuz...coffee...and chocolate), and then I will use a packet of Carnation Instant Breakfast, in the chocolate flavor, instead of the chocolate syrup. Then it's my breakfast mocha! YUM!!

My usual Sunday morning Tingling Leprechaun iced breakfast mocha

Also, feel free to try regular Bailey's Irish Creme instead of just the creamer (and maybe a bit of coffee liqueur) for an Irish coffee kick! It's the perfect name for a cocktail, anyway!

Then you can go on with your day, like on St. Paddy's, where you are set & ready to take in the events of St. Patrick's Day, or even your own Irish fare (several recipes HERE)!

*CHEERS*

ENJOY!