Gone are the final whispers of summer. The other day, we stepped back an hour. Now, the moon beams in a black and blue onyx sky blanketing my ride home from work. Once home, a lack of sunshine makes the day seem so...final. I may motivate for a yoga class. Nosh on edible odds and ends. All efforts pass with haste and hope of resigning myself to a cup of sleepy tea, beside our snoring pup, flipping my way through The Art of Eating.

Ah, but leisure is not so soon to be had. Not just yet. After busied work weeks, the nights and weekends of late have been devoured by time spent developing recipes and the like, for a couple of projects I'll tell you about in a bit. For now, Sage slumbers enough for us both while I scurry between camera, computer and stove.

Last Sunday, during one of these sessions, PerryA poked her darling head into the kitchen. Impeccable timing on her part, as I happened to need a fellow taster at that very moment. As we agreed on a smidgen more of crushed red pepper flakes, I bribed her with a bowlful of the goods if she'd help me with this week's recipe.

You see, PerryA moonlights as a bartender. She always impresses with a different cocktail theme for each her shifts. As there's not much in the way of wine or craft beer at the watering hole, I rely on her drink specials. Sometimes, with a bit too much enthusiasm...

A week or so ago, I solicited a sample of Mighty Leaf Black Tea Latte & Frappe Mix. Tea. Latte. Need I say more? As PerryA scraped the last bitty morsels from the bowl, I asked if she'd lend a spot of her drink wizardry to a cocktail appreciative of the tea powder. Not only did she agree, but she also helped wash dishes! What a doll.

In a shaker, she muddled fresh peppermint leaves from our garden. Scooped in the tea mix. Added a healthy pour of water and raspberry liqueur and gave all a brisk shake. After an expert pour over rocks, we shared a mighty fine iced tea cocktail.  After a few sips, PerryA hinted that the bev would serve just as well warm. Oh darn, does that mean we must partake in another round of tasting?

PerryA's Peppermint & Raspberry LaTea

The black tea powder shakes to a lovely froth and is flavored with kisses of raspberry and refreshing mint.  Serves two.

4 sprigs of fresh peppermint (or regular mint)
2 tablespoons Mighty Leaf Black Tea Latte & Frappe Mix
10 ounces water
3 ounces raspberry liqueur
ice

Pluck the leaves from two peppermint sprigs. Toss the leaves into a large cocktail shaker and muddle. Spoon the latte mix over the leaves. Pour in the water and liqueur. Cover and shake for 10 seconds, until a generous froth appears. Clink ice into two glasses. Pour the tea cocktail in equal measure between the two glasses. Garnish with the remaining sprigs of mint. Cheers!