Impromp-tea | Cayenne Spiked Autumn Tea

"Do you have any plans for lunch today?" asked my friend Vivian.

"No, I don't have any" I blurted even if I was in the middle of cleaning.

"I just cooked up a storm and I was wondering if you'd like to come over"

Cooked up a storm???  "I'll be there in an hour" came my instant reply.

Let's be honest. There are times when friends invite you for an impromptu meet up and our perfidious mind would fabricate excuses to avoid going.  We are caught up with our own fictional "busy world" that we cannot afford to lose a few hours of connecting with friends.  But chilax, impromptu get-togethers  usually end up wonderfully. Saying "yes" to Vivian  turned out to be one fine afternoon; enjoyable, fun and relaxed. Amidst laughter and heartwarming convos, we both knew that we should do "lunch" on a regular  basis from now on.

Happy Monday!

Cayenne Spiked  Autumn Tea

I understand, one of the hesitations of saying yes to an invite on the fly is not having anything to give. I myself wouldn't want to appear at my friends' door step empty handed.  But don't be caught up with this because bringing simple things are equally appreciated.  In my case, with just an hour to finish my chore of cleaning, showering and making something, uh well I had to make something quick. 

I've been making beverages of tea at gatherings so I thought I'd make a jar to bring. It was a cold Autumn day, so I spiked the tea with cayenne powder, to give it a kick.  And true enough, even when the beverage was served cold, the contrast of the hot spice of cayenne made a perfect beverage for a chilly October afternoon lunch.

Ingredients:

5 individual tea bags 

5 cups water

2 pcs (thumb size) ginger peeled and pressed

3 pcs. dried orange peel

3 pcs dried lemon peel

2 tbsp agave syrup

1/3 cup orange juice

1/4 tsp cayenne powder

In a kettle, mix all the first five ingredients together.  Brew for about 5 minutes or until the water boil.  Cover the kettle and let it cool.  Stir in orange juiuce, agave syrup and cayenne powder.  Please adjust to taste.

Pour it over a glass with iced cubes.  Garnish with apple slices.  Enjoy!

Thanks Vivian, and I'll see you next month!