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rinmio21 · 5 years ago

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Dirty Chai

Genre: Fluff

Pairing: Johnny x reader

[May 18th]

Cardamom and Cinnamon.

That’s what Johnny’s been waking up to almost every morning since the day he asked you to move in with him two Decembers ago. He rolls over on to his back and stays wrapped up under the covers, letting his thoughts trail back to that cold winter day.

The usual café felt unusually humid and hot that day, even though the forecast predicted highs would be in the negatives. He regretted his decision of getting a hot coffee, feeling a bead of sweat trickle down his sweater covered back. “So…uh, what- what do you think?”

He remembers how your response and the soft smile that followed was like a cool breeze of air, and a gentle reminder that spring was still miles away.

Looking back now, it wasn’t even that warm in the café, he was just nervous beyond belief.

Months passed, seasons came and went, and now your second spring together was beginning to make its slow transition to summer. He follows the stream of sunlight with his sleepy eyes and chuckles a bit when he realizes that the baby pink flowers from the cherry blossom tree outside of the bedroom window was replaced by a layer of fresh green foliage.

Finally crawling out of bed, Johnny drags his body towards the kitchen, and the spicy scent gets stronger and stronger as he walks down the hallway.

“Y/n, I thought you had the day off today.” Johnny’s hoarse morning voice has you looking up from the small saucepan on the stove.

“I do! But I had to water the plants today so…”

“You couldn’t have done that… later?” Instead of giving him a response, you simply shrug and run over to the counter. Grabbing a can of loose leaf tea from the cabinet, you make a quick pitstop by the entryway to plant a kiss on your boyfriend’s lips before returning to the stove.

At this point, Johnny can only chuckle in defeat.

You were a peculiar nut. Johnny knew this when you two first started dating, but he didn’t know just how extraordinary you were until you started living together.

・

Exactly a week after the awkward café date, you knocked on Johnny’s door with a large backpack and some houseplants, two pots of Aloe Vera tucked neatly under each of your arms.

“Babe, where’s… all your other stuff?” Johnny, being the gentleman he is, slipped your backpack off of your shoulders and did a double take when he realized how light it was.

“I still have two suitcases in my room, so I was gonna run back and grab them later today.”

“Two!? You only have two suitcases worth of stuff?”

“A lot of my things are still at my parent’s house. I…never really considered that apartment a home anyways, just a temporary accommodation until I find a home home.” You roamed around Johnny’s living room, in search for the perfect spot to put your houseplants.

“Here, pass me one. I know just the place.” Johnny lead you down the hallway, being extra careful to not walk too fast so you wouldn’t have to jog to keep up.

・

“…nny. Johnny? Babe?” Your voice snaps him out of his flashback, and he blinks a couple of times to get his vision to focus on you. He sees that your left hand is reaching out to touch his face, and he gently intertwines his fingers with yours, feeling the warmth of your small hands radiate up his arm to his heart. “Johnny, can you start the coffee?”

・

Coffee.

This was the other thing Johnny couldn’t believe. When you walked in to the kitchen during his apartment tour and crinkled your nose at the roasted bean scent, he felt his favorite mug start to slip out of his fingers.

“Do-do you not like coffee?” He managed to stutter those words out while clutching on to the ledge of the counter to keep his balance.

“I don’t know, I’m just not used to the smell of it, it feels like I’m in a café though. It’s nice.”

Thinking back, he had never seen you drink coffee. It was always something else, whether it be hot chocolate or tea lattes.

“Well, what do you drink in the mornings then?” You lifted your pointer finger and ran back to the bedroom, fishing out a few spice containers out of your backpack.

“Ginger, cinnamon, cloves…is this, chai?” He rested his chin on your head as you threw the spices in to a little simmer pot.

“Masala chai to be exact. I feel like it tastes better when I blend it myself.”

So every morning, Johnny would either grab his French press or start the espresso machine, and you would run to the stove to brew your tea.

And somewhere along the way, your drinks began to mix. He didn’t know which one of you came up with the genius idea, but one day you both woke up, and voila.

Dirty Chai.

・

“We should try almond milk next time.” Johnny giggles at your statement, watching little ripples form in his mug.

“Shall we try making our own almond milk then?” You nod at his words excitedly, and he makes a mental note to grab some almonds from the store after work.

A calming silence settles as you and Johnny enjoy your morning caffeine fix, and Johnny absentmindedly shifts his eyes up from his drink. He looks around and realizes that his apartment isn’t really his anymore. Your sticker covered laptop lays on the coffee table, your white sneakers aligned neatly at the door, and your plants add splashes of color here and there.

But for some reason, it felt more like home. And he really hoped you felt that way too. He really hoped you had finally found your home home, here, with him.

“What? Why are you smiling like that?” Johnny can’t help but wonder what you’re thinking about when you’re looking at him with the softest smile he’s ever seen.

“We’re kind of like dirty chai, don’t you think?”

“What do you mean?” Placing his half empty mug on the counter, he wraps his hands around your cheeks and gently lifts your face so your line of vision meets his.

“You and me, we’re like complete opposites a lot of the time, but instead of forcing things on to each other, we compromise. Instead of you making me drink coffee, or me making you drink chai, we drink dirty chai.

…I like that.

I really, really like that.”

#johnny #johnny seo #nct #nct127 #nct imagines #nct scenarios #nct 127 imagines #nct 127 scenarios #johnny fluff #johnny imagines #johnny scenarios

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natachavcerda · 6 years ago

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Dirty Chai Blog Post

People are passionate about their beverages. We want them flavorful, pretty, fresh, and inexpensive. We need them fast, in the biggest cup you’ve got, with our choice of milk, and a generous dash of whip. Remember those multicolored pastel drinks that were all the rage? What about freakshakes, the mother of all milkshakes, topped with every confection imaginable? People are having fun with their drinks, and we are on board. One of our favorite trends these days is the Dirty Chai Tea Latte. You can have all the warm, spicy flavors of chai without sacrificing the essential, revitalizing joy that is coffee. Basically, you can have your cake and eat it too. Bonus: you can make it at home!

Some of the best innovations come from necessity. We’ve all made those “I really need to go food shopping but I don’t feel like it” meals. You stare into your bare cabinets and try to figure out how you can work those pitiful, mismatched ingredients into something edible. There are entire cookbooks on the subject matter. Scarcity can turn anyone into an innovator.

The aromatic tea we know and love was born in tougher times. Masala Chai is a Hindi term that translates to “mixed-spice tea”. In the early 1900s, black tea was very expensive in India. Vendors used milk, sugar and spices to keep their brew flavorful while keeping costs down. To stimulate the sales of Indian tea, the British-owned Indian Tea Association encouraged big employers to offer tea breaks throughout the work day. They also encouraged chaiwalas, tea vendors, to sell their brew along the developing railway system.

Traditional Masala Chai used black tea, typically the local Assam or Ceylon, blended with real spices that varied based on region and availability. Chaiwalas became an important part of the culture and continue to exist all over India. They are one of the only consistent presences in a very diverse country, from lazy rural villages to busy cities streets. People from all walks of life flock to chaiwalas for a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Over tea, you’ll see people congregate, night and day, discussing anything from politics to sports.

Masala Chai became popular in India, but it didn’t stop there. Over the pond it went, right to our local coffee shops and tea houses, in all its spicy, fragrant glory. Any trendy coffee shop will boast the “Best Dirty Chai,” but as DIY-ers, we subscribe to the philosophy that if you want something done right, you’ve got to do it yourself. A lot of cafes make their chai with a concentrated syrup or powder mix. This version fuses our own signature chai spices into the tea like the first chaiwalas. Those real ingredients add a richness and depth of flavor you can’t emulate with an artificial mix alone. You wouldn’t build a house with particle board. You have to go for the good stuff!

If you want the traditional Dirty Chai experience, brew up 2 shots of espresso – we love Godfather’s Italian Espresso for this drink. You can also strong brew any coffee of your choice. Typically, espresso drinks use a dark roast, but the beauty of doing it at home is that you get to choose. Your home will be filled with that sweet, spicy aroma in no time! Whether you’re brewing it by the cup or the pitcher, this decadent treat is as simple as it is tasty.

Give this recipe a try and let us know what you think in the comments below!

Ingredients

1-2 tbsp Spiced Chai tea

1/2 cup of water

1/3 cup of milk of your choice

1/2 cup of strong coffee or 2 shots espresso

2-3 tsp honey

1 drop vanilla extract

A dash of cinnamon

Directions:

1.) Prepare coffee or espresso

2.) Prepare chai by bringing water to boil, then pouring it over loose leaf tea in a tea strainer. Let steep for 5-10 minutes. Remove tea bag/tea container from tea.

3.) Add honey and a drop of vanilla to chai tea, stir in well

4.) Prepare milk by either heating it up in a pot on the stove or use a wand to steam

5.) Add milk to chai

6.) Add strong brewed coffee or espresso and a dash of cinnamon

via Coffee Bean Direct Blog http://www.coffeebeandirectblog.com October 29, 2018 at 10:43AM

#Kate #Coffee

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shareyoursmile · 7 years ago

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14 Scotch Cocktail Recipes Perfect for Both Beginn...

New Post has been published on https://bestcook.makecookingfun.org/14-scotch-cocktail-recipes-perfect-for-both-beginn/

14 Scotch Cocktail Recipes Perfect for Both Beginn...

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[Photographs: Elana Lepkowski, Vicky Wasik, Wes Rowe]

Scotch isn’t the most common spirit for cocktails—with a mix of peaty, smoky, and malty flavors it can be tricky to pair with other ingredients. Add to that the high price tag of a good single malt and it’s no wonder that most people choose to drink their Scotch with nothing more than a little water. But with ingredients that complement the whisky’s peat, smoke, and herbal character there’s no reason you can’t make delicious cocktails with it. We’ve rounded up 14 recipes to give you an introduction to Scotch cocktails, from a classic Rob Roy and a summery frozen Blood and Sand to a chai-infused punch.

Note: Scotch can get pricey quick, but for mixing you shouldn’t feel the need to reach for your best bottle. Check out our guide to affordable Scotch for some solid options.

Rob Roy

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

Let’s start with the most famous Scotch cocktail around: the Rob Roy. This classic drink is made just like a Manhattan—two parts whisky, one part sweet vermouth, and a couple dashes of Angostura bitters—but with Scotch replacing the rye or bourbon. A maraschino cherry is the most traditional garnish, but we think that an orange twist plays especially well with Scotch.

Get the recipe for the Rob Roy »

Drunk Uncle

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

This smoky, spirituous cocktail pairs peaty Islay Scotch with bittersweet, vegetal Cynar and sweet, citrusy vermouth. We go with Martini & Rossi Bianco, which balances out the assertive Cynar without overpowering the whisky. Garnish with a grapefruit twist to highlight the citrusy notes of the vermouth.

Get the recipe for the Drunk Uncle »

100-Year-Old Cigar

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

This drink has a somewhat intimidating ingredient list, but everything comes together just right. Honeyed Bénédictine sweetens the aged rum, an absinthe rinse brings out the herbal side of the Cynar, and a mix of Cynar and Scotch (use something peaty like Laphroaig) give the drink a savory, almost leathery flavor.

Get the recipe for the 100-Year-Old Cigar »

Improved Scotch Cocktail

[Photograph: Nick Guy]

We turn to Bénédictine to sweeten this cocktail, too, along with caramelly demerrara syrup. The recipe only calls for 1/8 ounce of each for 2 ounces of Scotch, which is enough for their flavors to come out without the sweetness getting out of hand. We’d recommend a moderately smoky Scotch here, but you can use something more or less intense depending on your own taste.

Get the recipe for the Improved Scotch Cocktail »

Zucca Sprezzatura

[Photograph: Elana Lepkowski]

Rabarbaro Zucca is a fairly sweet amaro with a slightly smoky flavor that pairs well with Scotch. We use mild blended Scotch in this highball (too much peat will overwhelm the amaro), plus grapefruit bitters and bitter lemon soda. You might not be able to find bitter lemon soda, in which case you can use a mixture of tonic and fresh lemon juice instead.

Get the recipe for the Zucca Sprezzatura »

Mr. Howell

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

Scotch plays a supporting role in this cocktail as well, giving a daiquiri a savory edge. That’s not the only change to the classic recipe—we sweeten the cocktail with maple syrup instead of sugar to give it a deeper, richer flavor. You can use your choice of golden rum here—we’re partial to Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva, which has a dark flavor that works wonderfully with the syrup.

Get the recipe for the Mr. Howell »

9 Ladies Dancing Punch

[Photograph: Elana Lepkowski]

Malty, smoky blended Scotch is a great base for a cold-weather punch. Here we pair the whisky with spicy chai tea, nutty Lustau East India Solera Sherry, and an aromatic vanilla cinnamon syrup. For even more spice we mix in a healthy dose of Angostura bitters.

Get the recipe for 9 Ladies Dancing Punch »

Sweater Weather Punch

[Photograph: Emily Dryden]

We mix blended Scotch and sherry again for this punch, pairing the spirits with an herbal Czech liqueur called Becherovka. This is a great option for people who don’t think they like Scotch—the whisky adds a malty backbone to the punch without being overly assertive.

Get the recipe for Sweater Weather Punch »

Scotch, Sherry, and Concord Cocktail

[Photograph: Autumn Giles]

Don’t put that bottle of oloroso sherry away without making this cocktail, which mixes it with Scotch and Concord grape syrup. All three ingredients here are on the assertive side but blend together remarkably well—the jammy syrup stands up to the whisky and the nutty sherry ties everything together.

Get the recipe for Scotch, Sherry, and Concord Cocktail »

Frozen Blood and Sand

[Photograph: Elana Lepkowski]

Scotch is probably the last spirit you associate with blender drink, but this refreshing twist on the old-school Blood and Sand might just change that. The cocktail is traditionally made with orange juice, Cherry Heering, and sweet vermouth, but because blending a drink with ice dilutes the ingredients, we replace the Cherry Heering with rich Luxardo cherry syrup and reinforce the orange juice with Grand Marnier.

Get the recipe for the Frozen Blood and Sand »

Rusty Nail

[Photograph: Jennifer Hess]

Cocktails don’t get much simpler than the Rusty Nail—the recipe is nothing more than a mix of blended Scotch and Drambuie (a honey liqueur itself made from Scotch), plus a dash of Angostura bitters if you want to go crazy. You’ll often find the drink made with equal parts Scotch and Drambuie, but we like to use a much drier 4:1 ratio typical in older recipes for the drink.

Get the recipe for the Rusty Nail »

The Godfather

[Photograph: Michael Dietsch]

The Godfather is a close relative to the Rusty Nail—it’s made with just Scotch and amaretto. As with the Rusty Nail we think the drink can easily become too sweet, so we dial back the almond-flavored amaretto and use the same 4:1 ratio.

Get the recipe for The Godfather »

Vasco de Gama

[Photograph: Wes Rowe]

For a taste of fall, try this cocktail that combines bourbon, Scotch, and a garam masala-spiced apple syrup made with a variety of toasted spices. We love mixing bourbon and Scotch because you get a little bit of smoke and peat without the drink being too intense.

Get the recipe for the Vasco de Gama »

The Cure-All

[Photograph: Autumn Giles]

This recipe takes the Penicillin—a classic Scotch cocktail flavored with lemon and ginger—and adds a shot of earthy beet juice. The ginger comes in the form of Domaine de Canton liqueur, which also sweetens the drink.

Get the recipe for the Cure-All »

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cucinacarmela-blog · 7 years ago

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14 Scotch Cocktail Recipes Perfect for Both Beginn...

New Post has been published on http://cucinacarmela.com/14-scotch-cocktail-recipes-perfect-for-both-beginn/

14 Scotch Cocktail Recipes Perfect for Both Beginn...

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[Photographs: Elana Lepkowski, Vicky Wasik, Wes Rowe]

Note: Scotch can get pricey quick, but for mixing you shouldn’t feel the need to reach for your best bottle. Check out our guide to affordable Scotch for some solid options.

Rob Roy

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

Get the recipe for the Rob Roy »

Drunk Uncle

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

Get the recipe for the Drunk Uncle »

100-Year-Old Cigar

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

Get the recipe for the 100-Year-Old Cigar »

Improved Scotch Cocktail

[Photograph: Nick Guy]

Get the recipe for the Improved Scotch Cocktail »

Zucca Sprezzatura

[Photograph: Elana Lepkowski]

Get the recipe for the Zucca Sprezzatura »

Mr. Howell

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

Get the recipe for the Mr. Howell »

9 Ladies Dancing Punch

[Photograph: Elana Lepkowski]

Get the recipe for 9 Ladies Dancing Punch »

Sweater Weather Punch

[Photograph: Emily Dryden]

Get the recipe for Sweater Weather Punch »

Scotch, Sherry, and Concord Cocktail

[Photograph: Autumn Giles]

Get the recipe for Scotch, Sherry, and Concord Cocktail »

Frozen Blood and Sand

[Photograph: Elana Lepkowski]

Get the recipe for the Frozen Blood and Sand »

Rusty Nail

[Photograph: Jennifer Hess]

Get the recipe for the Rusty Nail »

The Godfather

[Photograph: Michael Dietsch]

Get the recipe for The Godfather »

Vasco de Gama

[Photograph: Wes Rowe]

Get the recipe for the Vasco de Gama »

The Cure-All

[Photograph: Autumn Giles]

Get the recipe for the Cure-All »

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