Ingredients

• 2  cups water
• 4  teaspoons premium loose Assam black tea or 4 black tea bags
• 3/4  cup sugar
• 1/2  cup unsweetened European-style (Dutch processed) cocoa powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
• 8  cups milk
• 1  tablespoon vanilla
• 2  teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2  teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1  teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1  teaspoon almond, orange, mint, or raspberry extract
•   Whipped cream
•   Ground nutmeg

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, bring water to boiling. Remove from heat. Add loose tea or tea bags. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes. Strain brewed tea into a large saucepan; discard loose tea or tea bags.

2. Stir sugar and cocoa powder into tea, stirring to dissolve sugar. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Add milk, vanilla, cinnamon, the 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg, cardamom, and almond extract. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is heated through (do not boil). Remove from heat.

3. To serve, pour hot mixture into warm mugs. Top each serving with whipped cream and additional nutmeg. Makes 8 to 10 servings.