Snow is still flying thick here and I’m deep in the winter doldrums. It doesn’t help that just as things get dreary, the flu descends and makes a mockery of being human for a few weeks. It’s enough to make even adults hide in blanket forts and refuse to come out until spring. It’s okay.

I’ve got Netflix. We’ll be fine.

In the midst of all this germy, gray discomfort there some things that can genuinely life my spirits. Most of them come in cup form. Coffee, soup, booze. It’s a great time to switch to a liquid diet and just ride that out until bikini season. One of my new favorite indulgences are steamers.

If steamers sound like warm cups o’comfort, you’re on the right track.

These are frothy servings of spice infused milk

whose cheery heat will defrost your hands, nose, and frozen heart.

I’m not a big milk drinker though, so I decided to veer into chai territory, ratcheting up the spices several notches and steeping the milk in a bag of earl grey.

The result?

a spicy, steamy cup with strong notes of coconut, chai, and just a touch of caffeine for the weary.

Wrap your hands around one and you’ll never want to let go. Like ever.

We begin with an ingredient round up, which is mostly milk, tea and a range of spices that’d do any Indian market proud: cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, ginger, anise and cardamom.
Bring it all to a simmer, whisking the spices and keeping careful watch to avoid scalding.
Remove from heat and strain into a cup, then froth via your favorite method. I prefer my adorable little mini frother, which you can snag over on Amazon for a song.