Caramel Apple Cider Tea

Ingredients

For the caramel sauce:

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 3 tbsp salted butter, cut into 6 pieces
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

• 2 cups apple cider
• 2 tbsp Tea Forté Harvest Apple Spice Loose Leaf Tea

• Ground cinnamon
• Cinnamon sticks

Directions

1. Make the caramel sauce: Add the sugar to a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. It will begin to clump up before turning into an amber-colored liquid. Once the sugar has become fully liquid, quickly stir in the butter. The mixture will bubble/foam up, but keep mixing until it’s fully incorporated.While stirring, slowly add the heavy cream. The mixture will start to bubble/foam again, but will recede after another minute of stirring. Then, remove your pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Pour in a separate bowl and set aside to cool. Note: To save time, you may use your favorite store-bought caramel sauce instead of making your own.
2. Make the whipped cream: Combine heavy cream, sugar and vanilla extract in a bowl. Whip on high speed until stiff peaks form, then set aside.
3. Make the cider tea: Steep the loose leaf tea in two cups of hot cider for 2 minutes. You can use a specialty tea pot/kettle for this, or in a medium saucepan. When done steeping, strain and discard the tea leaves.
4. Prepare the drinks: Equally divide the hot cider tea into two mugs (these Joey Mugs are a great choice) and stir in a little caramel sauce into each. Top with homemade whipped cream, ground cinnamon and more caramel. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and enjoy!

Yield: Two 8-ounce servings