Warm Cardigan

By SippitySup

Hot drinks seem to have a medicinal value. When winter rolls around, I consider these warm libations to be the original nighttime sniffling sneezing coughing aching stuffy head fever so you can rest medicine.

Ingredients

• 4 fl oz strong, hot chamomile tea
• 2 fl oz Genever
• 2 cardamom pods
• 1 barspoon clove infused honey syrup*
• 1 dash Scrappy’s Lavender Bitters, optional**
• 1 thinly sliced lemon wheel

Preparation

Step 1

Stir the tea and genever together in a heat proof mug or glass. Pinch the cardamom pods to slightly crush them and drop them into the hot drink; stir in the honey. Garnish with lemon. Let the flavors come together about 3 minutes. Serve warm. Makes 1.

* To make the clove infused honey place 1 tbsp whole cloves in a small non-reactive container, lightly crush them with a wooden muddler. Add 1/4 cup warm water and 1/4 cup honey; stir to combine then cover and set aside at room temperature for 2 or 3 days. Taste the syrup; adding more honey if you feel it’s too strong. When the desired taste is attained pour liquid through a wire-mesh sieve double lined with damp cheese cloth into an airtight container. This makes more than you need for 1 cocktail. Store covered in a cool, dry place.

** I think the dash of lavender bitters brings out the lavender in genever. Besides, its summery fragrance hints at warm weather yet to come.