Morning Wake-Me-Up

The typical morning beverage for me is coffee, but there are times when I want something that leaves me feeling refreshed afterwards while still satisfying any desire for caffeine.

To veer somewhat off-topic for a moment, Sam asked about my recipe for spiced cider. I don't really follow a recipe, but here's what I use for about 8 cups of apple cider or juice (you can also use half apple juice, half cranberry juice).

• 2 cinnamon sticks


• 10 whole cloves


• 5 orange slices


• 4 lemon slices


• 3-5 tablespoons honey

If you have a percolator, which is what my mom uses, pour the juice into the base, place the spices and fruit slices into the basket, set up the basket inside the base and pour the honey on top of the spice-fruit ingredients. Plug in and percolate away.

For a pot, I place all the ingredients in the pot along with the juice and bring to a rapid simmer, then simmer until heated thoroughly (covered with a lid), about 25 minutes, but you could place the spice bundle in a cheesecloth and tie the ends if you prefer. Check to taste if it's to your liking. Very simple.

Right, now what does grapefruit have to do with anything? My change-of-pace breakfast tea, which reminds me of spiced cider a bit. Honey Grapefruit Soother from The Little Big Book of Pooh is a lightly spiced green tea-grapefruit tea sweetened with honey. It's warm, it's refreshing and it's a nice change from coffee. Because simply put, I drink way too much coffee.

I will digress once more to say that if I ever decided to try the 'grapefruit diet', I'd epically fail. When I first found out that half a grapefruit is one serving, I envisioned myself slicing a grapefruit, wrapping the unused portion in plastic wrap to keep the fruit from drying out in the fridge and saving it until breakfast next morning. Or I could just eat both halves, which is what I decided that moment to do, after which I normally squeeze the juice out and drink it. But the other day I squeezed it and measured out just under ⅓ cup juice, which is the amount needed for the tea. Make sure to take out any little seeds, or just use bottled grapefruit juice.

Place one green tea bag in a little teapot with one cinnamon stick and pour 1½ cups boiling water inside. Steep for five minutes.

Honey Grapefruit Soother, recipe below

After steeping, remove the tea bag and cinnamon stick and pour in the grapefruit juice.

Typically Pooh, stir in 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of honey. Use more or less depending on your preference.

The resulting flavor is a lightly spiced green tea with citrusy flavors, not only a nice change from coffee but also from plain tea.

Whatever your breakfast drink of choice is, there is nothing better on a cold morning than a steaming cup of a soothing drink.

---

Honey Grapefruit Soother
Back to the top

Ingredients:

• 1 green tea


• 1 cinnamon stick


• 1½ cups boiling water


• ⅓ cup grapefruit juice


• 4 teaspoons honey

Directions:

1. In medium-sized teapot, place tea bag and cinnamon stick. Add boiling water and steep for three to five minutes.


2. Remove tea bag and cinnamon stick and add grapefruit juice. Stir in honey until it dissolves. Pour into your favorite mug and sip away.