Okay, so the other day I was feeling a bit bored with my usual drink routine and wanted to try something new. I had some oolong tea bags sitting in my cupboard and a jar of honey that was practically begging to be used. Then it hit me: oolong tea with honey! I figured, why not give it a shot?

First, I grabbed a mug—my favorite one with the silly cat design—and tossed in an oolong tea bag. Then I boiled some water in my trusty old kettle. It’s one of those electric ones that clicks loudly when it’s done, so there’s no way to miss it. While waiting for the water, I scooped out a heaping teaspoon of honey and dumped it into the mug.

Once the kettle clicked, I carefully poured the hot water over the tea bag and honey. I made sure not to fill it to the brim because, you know, spillage is a real issue in my life. I let the tea steep for about five minutes. I like it strong, but not “kick-you-in-the-face” strong, just a nice, robust flavor.

While the tea was steeping, I took a moment to enjoy the aroma. It’s kind of earthy with a hint of sweetness from the honey. Kind of makes the kitchen smell like a fancy spa or something. Okay, maybe not that fancy, but it does smell pretty darn good. I removed the tea bag.

I gave the tea a good stir to make sure the honey was fully dissolved. It turned this lovely golden-brown color. I took a sip, and man, it was good! The oolong had that distinct, slightly roasted flavor, and the honey added just the right amount of sweetness without being overpowering.

• It was smooth.
• It was comforting.
• It was exactly what I needed.

I ended up making another cup right after because, why not? It’s definitely going to be a regular thing for me now. Sometimes the simplest things are the best, right?

My two cents

Next time I might try adding a lemon slice or a piece of ginger just to change it up. But honestly, the oolong tea and honey combo is pretty darn perfect as is. It’s like a warm hug in a mug. Give it a try sometime!