Hi there, tea lovers. Do any of you need to warm up a bit?

We'll speak for ourselves up here in the Colorado mountains, where an epic snow storm has just left schools closed, roads snow packed and icy, and skiers grinning like they just won the lottery. Some of us took a few turns on the mountains on our skis and boards, but even if we didn't, stepping outside into the deep snow just to shovel out our cars has left us chilled to the bone. Tea to the rescue!

For a long time now, one of our team members, Pam, has been telling us about the virtues of spiking a thermos of our Alpine Berry tea with bourbon and taking it on adventures in the great outdoors. That bright berry tea pairs beautifully with the warm bite of a good bourbon, and warms you from the inside out. We're pretty sure Pam's recipe involves making a thermos of Alpine Berry and then just adding as much bourbon as you feel is appropriate, but that got us thinking about how well other teas might pair with whiskey or bourbon, and giving you tea lovers a couple of recipes.

Voila! We have two for you because we like the concept of one with a caffeinated black tea to pick you up, and one with a soothing herbal tea like chamomile to bring you back down. Both seem quite easy to us, so give them a try!

Whiskey Hot Tea Toddy

serves 1

1 teaspoon honey
5 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 whole anise star
1 1/2 oz rye whiskey
1/2 cup (or more, to taste) already-brewed hot tea (we would recommend Organic English Breakfast or Paisley Organic English Breakfast)
Slice of lemon

Add honey and spices to the bottom of a heat-proof snifter or mug. Add the whiskey and pour in the tea. Squeeze the lemon, drop it in, and stir until the honey is melted.

Chamomile Bourbon Hot Toddy

1 teaspoon honey
1 1/2 ounce bourbon
1/2 cup already-brewed chamomile tea (try Organic Chamomile or Paisley Organic Chamomile)
1 slice Meyer lemon
dash lavender bitters

Add the honey and bourbon to a heat-proof snifter or mug. Top with the tea, squeeze the lemon, and drop it in. Add the lavender bitters and stir until the honey is melted.