Hazelnut Barley Reading Light

Hazelnut butter gives roasted barley tea a little richness and reinforces its toasted flavor. Vanilla smooths the aroma without needing to make the drink sweet. Whisk the butter into a small amount of hot tea first, then add the rest gradually so it mixes evenly. The cup will be lightly cloudy rather than clear. This is a modest, nutty evening drink that sits somewhere between grain tea and a very light latte, with no coffee or cocoa involved.

Ingredients

• 1 tea bag Roasted barley tea
• 6 oz Water
• 1 tsp Smooth hazelnut butter
• 1/8 tsp Alcohol-free vanilla flavoring

Make it

1. Prepare any fruit as listed, removing stones, cores and hard stems.
2. Brew the tea in the measured water according to its packet, then remove the bag.
3. Whisk any nut or seed butter into a spoonful of the hot tea first. Add it back with the fruit, juice, spices or other listed flavorings. Warm gently in a small pan for 3–4 minutes if needed to soften fruit; do not boil.
4. Strain if preferred, removing whole peel, herb or ginger pieces. Serve at a comfortable drinking temperature.

Benefits

Hazelnut butter · vitamin E in the mix

Beside barley tea and vanilla, hazelnut butter offers a little vitamin E, used by your body for the body’s everyday antioxidant defenses, as well as a rich, roasted hazelnut note.

A warmer side of vanilla

The barley tea and hazelnut butter carries a sweet-smelling vanilla aroma from vanilla, giving you a fragrant warm drink to enjoy in place of an alcoholic nightcap.

Barley contains gluten.

Check the ingredient labels for nuts, peanuts, sesame and other allergens relevant to you.