A Cup of Holiday Cheer: Chai Grog

Here's something a little different, as holiday drinks go.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup ginger root (sliced thin with a vegetable peeler and tightly packed)


• 4 sticks cinnamon


• 16 cloves


• 1 tsp. powdered cardamom


• 1 tbsp. vanilla extract


• 1 tsp. nutmeg


• ¼ cup sugar


• 1 cup honey


• 12 tea bags (preferably Darjeeling)


• 8 cups milk, hot (do not boil)


• 1 cup rum


• Whipped cream (optional)

Preparation:

Combine gingerroot, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom, vanilla extract, nutmeg, sugar, and honey. Add 8 cups boiling water and tea bags.  Simmer for 5 minutes. Add  rum, strain. Add the hot milk and top with whipped cream, if desired, and garnish with cinammon stick.

Serves 12