This Holi Indulge in the Colours of Tea

Today is Holi, one of India’s most colorful and fun festivals. Celebrated by Indians all across the world, this exuberant festival is observed by people throwing colored powder, as well as, drenching each other with water balloons and sometimes – entire buckets of colored water!!!

It’s about groups of young people exploding in water pistol fights that leave everyone drenched in eye-popping purple and shocking pink. It’s about buckets emptied over your head. By the time it’s over, even the stray dogs on the street are pink. It’s noisy. It’s wet. It’s a riot.

The festival of Holi demonstrates love and affection towards the people we care. It is like a family reunion for all of us, where relatives nearby of far, all of them visit and celebrate the colours of Holi. But when it’s over everyone feels tired and there comes into picture, a cup of tea which when sipped brings back the drained energy and enthusiasm back in the people. Made with love, care and added sweetness, a cup of tea nourishes the body and soul.

But how can we make indulge in colours of tea this Holi…???

Hosting a tea party

An afternoon tea party would be a lovely idea to celebrate the joy of Holi. Plan the guests list and snacks a day prior to Holi with different kinds of tea to be served during the tea party. First of all, the party venue should be decorated with different colors to set the mood for Holi and then the theme of tea should be set. The party tone can be set by including a tea bag of a colorful tea blend. The table settings are very important because it would be the main showcase of the event. It should be stunning in order to attract more people in the tea party.

To start with, the different colours of Holi can be beautifully displayed through flowers, cutlery, and table napkins. Everything should be colourful and the colour blend should be perfect for the theme. Like for example, the table cloth can be orange or some bright colour with colorful cutlery arranged on the top. Different flowers can be arranged on the table to make the area catchier. Tea pots, honey, sugar or artificial sweeteners, loose tea infusers are a few other things that are required to make the table complete.

One thing which can be done is by creating a “Tea Bar.” Just like any other regular bar except the booze is replaced by tea!!! This is a fantabulous idea which can be done during a tea party. You can include different varieties of tea at the tea bar, like regular masala tea, or the ice tea for children. If you are more of a tea lover then you can include new varieties of tea which people are not much familiar with such as the white tea or some exotic varieties of tea too.

If you are more of an expert, then you can also go for tea blending during the tea party. You can show off your skills of blending by making your own homemade tea blends. Homemade tea blends can be very simple or more complicated, and you can customize your recipes to suit your own tastes like the “Homemade Red Chai Tea.” This recipe is made by adding cinnamon sticks, cardamom, peppercorns, fennel, and cloves to a large stockpot or saucepan. Then heat over medium-low until spices are toasted and fragrant. Add 6 cups water and ginger to stockpot. Bring to a boil and add red tea. Turn off heat, and let steep five minutes. Strain out tea and spices, and divide into mugs. Serve with your favorite milk and sweetener as you like. Enjoy!

Or you can give an option to the guests to make their own tea blends. Pick a variety of exotic fruits, flowers, herbs, and spices and display it along with a selection of teas for your guests to choose from. They can mix the flavours with the teas to make an interesting and unique cup of tea!!!

Another thing which is required for a memorable tea party is serve unique “treats” and “savouries.” You can order some Holi themed colourful cakes and sweets from a local bakery or mithai shop. You can also include some tea themed colorful drinks, and some snacks with coloured theme on them like by making sandwiches in a white and brown bread, and layer them with colourful veggies.

For ice tea drinkers, use some specially made ice cubes. These ice cubes looks fancy and desirable especially during a party. You can make these ice cubes easily by adding an edible flower, a curl of lemon zest, or some fresh herbs to the ice cube tray. Fill them with water and then freeze to get the prefect ice cubes for the ice tea. Another idea is to make a “Lemonade Raspberry Ice cubes.” These are made by dissolving sugar in warm water and then stir in lemon juice. Divide fresh raspberries into an ice-cube tray. Place a sprig of mint in each cube. Add lemonade and freeze.

There are many more ideas for making some funny and crazy ice cubes available all over. Just discover it this Holi!!!

Now it is time to set the bar a bit high!!!

This would be a crazy idea to do so on Holi and indulge in the magic of the festival Holi. We all are familiar with Bhang and the exotic and intoxicating Bhang Recipes to help you enjoy the Holi Festival the traditional ways.

The Bhang Masala Chai

Tea is a common method for consuming Bhang, a traditional Indian cannabis paste used for an assortment of dishes that combines the leaves, buds and seeds of the marijuana plant. Let’s learn how to make this incredible Bhang Tea.

“Put the Bhang paste, water, milk, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, peppercorns, ginger and oil in a pan and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower the flame and let simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the Bhang becomes really fine and blended well. Let it cool, strain the mixture with a cheese cloth into a jar, and keep covered. Pour ¼ cup of half-and-half cream and ¾ cup of strained tea in a cup. Heat it in the microwave and serve.”

The Bhang Jasmine/Chia Tea

Boil spring water. Pour over your favorite tea. Let steep for at least 20-30 min. Heat and spice up, your creamer, while waiting. By adding Chia/Jasmine, to bring the out zing in the tea. Add cinnamon, nutmeg or pumpkin spice, for a little flavor. Blend 12 ounces or 2 cups of your spiced tea, sugar, Carnation instant chocolate drink mix with hand held electric blender. Keep tea hot, just below boiling point. Add creamer, Bhang oil with chocolate, spiced tea, on stove. Blend for 30-45 second’s. Pour into a tall, insulated mug. Your Bhang Tea is ready!!!

There are many bhang recipes which are made with tea also but beware of children entering the bhang tea spot!!!

The tea cocktail party

It would be really sensual to host a cocktail tea party, a combination of tea and booze of your choice!!!

Ice tea would be a very good choice to add a splash of booze, and god damn it gets more delicious with the booze splash. Ice tea cocktail can be taken at anytime of the year, whether it’s blazing hot or freezing cold outside. Ice tea can be mixed with herbs and fruits perfectly, and when you add a dash of your favorite liquor, it’s practically perfect. So, it’s a perfect recipe to be hosted at a tea cocktail party at Holi.

There are other thirst quenching tea cocktails which would be perfect for Holi.  Lets discover a few!!!

The Bourbon Whiskey Iced Tea.

Heat your water to the desired level using a microwave or electric kettle. Add loose tea to the French press (This equipment is essential for this tea) and pour hot water over the leaves. Allow to steep for a while and then pour the hot tea into a vessel. Add ice and sugar to the hot tea. Then add a bit of lemon juice and add some mint leaves by bruising them into a glass with spoon. Into the vessel of now-sweetened tea, stir in the Bourbon, lemon juice, lime juice and mint. When ready to serve, pour into a pitcher filled with ice and citrus slices. Serve over ice with extra mint and citrus slices.

Pu-erh Bourbon tea

This would be a really great drink for the party as this drink gives the earthiness of a Pu-erh tea infused bourbon. Combine the tea and bourbon in a jar and cover the jar. Let steep at room temperature for 2 hours. Strain the tea leaves and discard. Store infused bourbon in a sealed jar.

Tea themed Holi Gifts

What’s more better than to give tea themed Holi gifts to your loved ones!!! Let’s discover a few…

Holi tea gift packs

Celebrate the joy of Holi with the available tea gift packs all over. Indulge yourself into a Beautiful Holi with this Gift Tea & Holi Colour Set. This gift set consists of various types of teas with some organic colours to play Holi safely. Write a personalized message this Holi on the gift pack and you are ready to go. This would be a perfect gift for someone you care about!!!

The colourful Holi Tea cup

A perfect gift for a tea lover!!!

Many varieties and design theme based on the festival of Holi are readily available for gifting. Give this festival Mug to someone special, or treat yourself to a design that brings you joy or makes you laugh.

Hand painted Glasses

Colorful and crazy, this would be a perfect gift to blow the minds of people this Holi. This would be a true delight for art lovers and you can flaunt your style at the Holi gathering at your home.

There are many more ideas which can set into action this Holi. Just think and let it drool all over the place!!!

Holi is the time to develop understanding and love for each other. The Tea and Holi theme can be a super combination to renew your friendship and to express
heartiest love to all your loved ones.

Wishing everyone a Happy Holi!!!