Here are three ways to enjoy some favorite beverages without leaving the house.
Chai concentrate
Dan Zalacain began Cabbagetown Chai in 2009, selling chai concentrate to Atlanta coffee shops. Now, the concentrate (a combination of black tea, warm spices, ginger and vanilla) and other chai-based products are available to the rest of us. Everyone who tried the concentrate agreed it is amazing. We made traditional hot chai, but we also made hot chai with apple cider; mixed the concentrate with oat milk and poured it over ice; added the concentrate to ginger beer, which really amped up the spice; and substituted it for half the water when making oatmeal. We’ll be keeping this on hand year-round. Thank goodness, he’s starting a subscription service soon.
$9.50 for 31 ounces of concentrate; $22.50 for a gallon. Available at cabbchai.square.site.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Coffee roasting kit
This kit from Atlanta-based Thereabouts comes with beans from three different countries and easy-to-follow directions for roasting on the stovetop or in the oven, along with an explanation of the process. We learned how quickly you can go from green beans to French roast (and if you’re not paying attention, to burned), and the nuances of the flavor at each stage. We found just the right roast for us (medium) and gained a heightened appreciation for the work of local coffee roasters.
$40. Available at tastethereabouts.com.
Credit: Maya Norman
Credit: Maya Norman
Tea-infused simple syrups
The tea-infused simple syrups from Maya Norman of Decatur-based Steeped & Twisted can sweeten your hot or iced tea, or work perfectly as the base for cocktails and mocktails. Our favorite was the rose cardamom syrup, an herbal blend made with organic dried rose petals and buds and green cardamom pods. It was as delicious sweetening a glass of sparkling water as it was in a bourbon-based cocktail made from a recipe on the company website. Other flavors include mango jasmine, hibiscus lime and pineapple vanilla. That last one worked really well as a substitute for vanilla extract in cake and cookie recipes. Just keep the jars refrigerated and use within two weeks. Norman is working on four new flavors for fall: fig vanilla, pear ginger, apple chai and plum lavender. We can’t wait.
$16 to $18 per 8-ounce bottle. Check the website for local events where Steeped & Twisted will have a booth, or order at steepedandtwisted.com.
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