Sherlock is back. Both from the grave and for our viewing pleasure. With Series 3 now on Netflix, we’ve hardly been doing anything else.

Except, perhaps, making tea. Because there’s just something about that perfect hot beverage that fortifies you for whatever lies ahead. Which, with Sherlock, could be nearly anything. So, with that in mind (and for obvious other reasons that involve tea being wonderful), we’ve been making a lot of it.

To do so, we’ve been watching Sherlock’s tea time habits closely, methodically. Aside from the assorted eyeball, he seems to like a pretty standard fare. Earl Grey, we deduce, but with a hint of adventure and whimsy.

So, for Sherlock, we’ve made a tangy, sharp, and sweet Earl Grey cousin: our own special mint peach blend. Steeped to perfection, hold the eyeball, just this once but with a touch of agave in its place. No milk, of course, because it fogs up the windows of the mind palace.

Moriarty, on the other hand, deals in decadence and chaos. When pondering his drink of choice, we realized it would have to reflect the havoc in which he revels. It would definitely involve psychoactive stimulants (a double dose of caffeine). And a shot of vanilla with half and half. Because caution and health be damned.

Put it all together, and, in Moriarty’s posthumous honor, we have a dirty vanilla chai tea, sweetened on the surface but full of bite.

So, whether you’re an aloof game-master, a high-functioning sociopath, or somewhere comfortably in between, we’ve got the tea to fortify you for whatever your current road has in store for you . . . or whatever mischief you decide to send down that road.

Sherlock’s Mint Peach Earl Grey

Ingredients (brews 2-4 cups)

2 teaspoon mint green tea, loose leaf (or 1 bag)
2 teaspoon peach black tea, loose leaf (or 1 bag)
4 teaspoons Earl Grey tea (or 2 bags)
boiling water
1 teaspoon agave
Just a dash of peppermint extract

Directions

1. Put down your violin and/or human skull to begin. Or better yet, convince your best friend and blogger to do the following steps for you.
2. Measure out and mix loose leaf teas in a small bowl. (If you are using bags open them up first in order to mix. Handy trick, if you don’t have a strainer you can re-use the empty bag if it’s not too mangled. )
3. Place tea into a strainer and strainer into your favorite mug.
4. Bring water to a boil.
5. Pour water into mug (preferably not directly over the tea but just to the side).
6. Steep for 3-5 minutes.
7. Remove strainer and save tea for a second cup if you’d like.
8. Drizzle in agave and stir.
9. Done. Enjoy to the extent your psyche allows.

Moriarty’s Dirty Vanilla Chai

Ingredients (brews one cup)

2 teaspoons spiced chai tea, loose leaf (or 1 bag)
1 teaspoon instant espresso
boiling water
1 teaspoon honey
The slightest touch of vanilla extract
1 tablespoon half and half

Directions

1. Drizzle honey into the bottom of your mug (because why not start in unexpected ways?).
2. Place loose leaf tea into a strainer and place in mug as well (or place tea bag directly in mug).
3. Measure espresso and place in a separate mug.
4. Bring water to a boil.
5. Pour water into mug (preferably not directly over the tea but just to the side).
6. Pour water over espresso and stir.
7. Let tea steep 4-6 minutes.
8. Remove strainer or tea bag.
9. Add espresso to your mug of chai.
10. Add in vanilla extract to taste.
11. Pour in half and half, stir and watch swirl in that lovely, chaotic, caffeinated way.
12. Best enjoyed while in a game of wits with your mortal enemy ( . . . or perhaps the closest thing you’ve known to a friend?).

This post is courtesy of the talented chefs at Garlic, My Soul!  Be sure to stop by their website to see posts like this one and many more!