Step by step

Method

4 steps

1. 1

   Steep 2 black tea bags (or 2 teaspoons loose black tea) with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, and ¼ teaspoon ground allspice in 1 cup water — in a drip filter or a small saucepan — until strong and fragrant, about 5 minutes. You should smell spice before you taste.

2. 2

   In a small saucepan, warm 1 cup milk with 1–2 tablespoons brown sugar over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the milk is steaming, 3–5 minutes. Don't let it scorch or boil hard.

3. 3

   Divide the warm milk between two mugs. Pour the spiced tea over the milk and stir until the color looks even and creamy.

4. 4

   Taste and add a little more brown sugar if you want it sweeter. Top with a pinch of nutmeg and whipped cream if you like. Serve hot. For iced: cool the tea fully, pour over ice with cold milk. You want a creamy, spiced tea latte that smells like cinnamon and ginger — not weak tea water or a scorched milk film on top.