The effect of tea is instantaneous and enlivening. It feels like someone has suddenly shut down all harsh lights and sounds, and the world has been washed over by a wave of serenity and tranquility. It is the medicine for jittery nerves. So, this beverage deserves to be played around with a little bit, in order to enhance its potency, by commingling it with other stimulating ingredients. Try out some of the following recipes, not only to cater to your sweet tooth, but also to reap the benefits of tea coalesced with herbs, spices, honey and juices, in variant permutations and combinations. Darjeeling Bliss For one cupful of heaven, get your hands on some

• Darjeeling tea leaves, 1 tsp.
• Water, 300 ml
• Milk, as per preference
• Sugar, to taste

Procedure Add the tea leaves to the water and bring it to a furious boil. Allow the mixture to brew for approximately 8 - 9 minutes. Now take it off the flame and add milk and sugar to the brewage. Remember, Darjeeling tea is the world's finest exotically flavored tea, the aroma of which is altered in tandem with the season. So, add the milk and sugar with heed and sip in to experience the unbelievable sensation this 'champagne' of teas, is capable of conjuring up! Milton had once said that "One sip of this will bathe the drooping spirits in delight, beyond the bliss of dreams." Drink Darjeeling tea and you'll know what he meant. Sweet Indian Masala Tea To sip on this tea with a twist, with your beloved, collect

• Tea leaves, 3 tsp.
• Water, 300 ml
• Milk, 300 ml
• Sugar, to taste
• Black peppercorns, 6 (whole)
• Nutmeg, a dash
• Cloves, 4 (whole)
• Cinnamon, 1 stick
• Cardamoms, 4
• Ginger, 1 tsp.

Procedure Commingle equal parts of the water and milk and bring it to a simmer. Add all the spices into this solution and allow it to boil vigorously. Next, add the tea leaves and then take the vessel off flame, after letting the liquid bubble vehemently for a couple of minutes more. Now, run this solution through a strainer, to sieve it and sweeten it with sugar before serving. It's a zingy concoction that never fails. Lemon Tea For a glassful of this refreshing drink, gather

• Tea leaves, 2 tsp.
• Water, 300 ml
• Lemon juice, 2 tsp.
• Sugar, to taste

Procedure Bring the water to a boil and then add the tea leaves. Let it brew for sometime and then remove from flame. Strain the tea and then add the lemon juice to it. Stir up some sugar into this dark tempter of all times and drink up. Ginger Tea The best remedy for a sore throat, to make a cupful just grab

• Tea leaves, ½ tsp.
• Water, 175 ml
• Ginger, ½ tbsp. (grated)
• Honey, ½ tbsp.

Procedure Bring the water to a boil and add the tea leaves. After a couple of minutes throw in the ginger, brew for 3 more minutes, and turn off the flame. Dissolve the honey and serve this herbally efficient drink. Garnish with some mint leaves if you like. In this Book of Tea, Kakuzo Okakura attested that "tea began as a medicine and grew into a beverage." Ginger tea bears testimony to that even today. Spicy Afternoon Tea To satiate a group of six, make sure you have,

• Tea, ½ an ounce (brewed)
• Water, 2 oz.
• Lemon juice, of 1 lemon
• Orange juice, ⅛ pint
• Sugar, 2 oz.
• Cloves, ¼ tsp.
• Cinnamon, ¼ stick

Procedure Add all the spices into the water and then bring it to a vehement boil. Now, add the tea and allow it to simmer for some more time. Strain the solution, add the sugar and mix with the juices. This makes for a fantastic kitty beverage, in keeping with George Gissing's saying, "In nothing more is the English genius for domesticity more notably declared than in the institution of this festival - almost one may call it - of afternoon tea...The mere chink of cups and saucers tunes the mind to happy repose." Boston Ice Tea To make this recipe for sweet tea for a small get together of 14, assemble the following ingredients.

• Tea bags, 14
• Water, 4 quarts
• Cranberry juice, 12 oz. (concentrated)
• Sugar, a cup

Procedure Bring water to boil and pour the entire cup of sugar into it. Stir until it becomes a uniform liquid, remove from the stove and then add the tea bags. Allow the solution to steep for 6 minutes and then remove the bags. Now, introduce the cranberry concentrate to the tea and keep ladling until the entire motley becomes a smooth liquid. Now, allow it to stand for sometime. Refrigerate when it comes down to room temperature. Serve with ice cubes and see the magic as your guests gorge it down. Iced Hibiscus Tisanes Tea For one cupful of this delicious brew, you'll need,

• Hibiscus tisanes, 1 tbsp.
• Water, 1 cup
• Lemon juice, a dash
• Sugar, 2 tsp.

Procedure Add the flowers in some water, cover and brew for 5 minutes. Strain this liquid, and then pour the lemon juice and sugar to it. Pour this tea over ice cubes and serve. You can add some stevia foliage for added aroma. Garnish with hibiscus flowers to go with the name of this aroma saturated drink. Fruity Tea Cup This perfect kids' party tea variation can be made with,

• Tea, ½ pint (brewed, hot and strong)
• Ginger ale, 2 bottles (small)
• Lemonade, 1 bottle (large)
• Orange squash, ½ pint
• Lemon juice, 4 tbsp.
• Orange, 1 (slivered)
• Sugar, 6 oz.

Procedure Pour the heated tea in a vessel and stir in the sugar. Next, put in the orange squash and the lemon juice, and run it through a sieve. Refrigerate. Before serving, mix the lemonade, ginger ale and slivered orange slices. A savory, sweet tea concoction. Iced Apple Tea For a cozy summer evening of 8, you need to gather,

• Tea bags, 4
• Water, 4 cups
• Apple juice, 3 cups
• Honey, ⅓ cup

Procedure Get water to boil and add tea bags to it. Soak for 5 minutes and then remove the bags. Gradually introduce the juice and the honey to the tea, and stir until uniform. Refrigerate and serve with ice cubes. This is a great pick for even those on a weight loss diet regime, attending your dainty tea party! Tea Jelly To make some yum tea jelly, you need,

• Tea, ¾ pint (freshly made)
• Lemon peels, 2
• Cream, to garnish (whipped)
• Lemon jelly, 1 packet

Procedure Blend together the jelly and the tea together into a smooth fluid of about a pint. Place it in the freezer. Meanwhile, grate the lemon peels finely and mix it well into the jelly motley, when the latter is a little firm in consistency. Now, pour this assortment into small ice cream cups and chill again for sometime. Squeeze out cream on top and serve. Tea Ice Cream For making a 2 lbs. ice cream slab, lay your hands upon,

• Tea leaves, 2 oz. (strongly flavored)
• Water, 10 oz.
• Milk, 2 lbs. (fresh)
• Arrowroot, 1 ounce
• Sugar, 1 lb. (refined)

Procedure Add piping hot water to tea leaves in a pot and set aside for 8 minutes. Then strain the tea and keep it aside. Bring the milk to a boil and alongside, grind arrowroot and sugar into dust. Add this powder to the boiling milk and allow simmering for another 8 - 10 minutes. Remember not to stop churning the liquid as lump formation will take place otherwise. Turn off the flame and quickly add the tea infusion to this solution. Blend the two in and then set it in the freezer. Something creamy your way comes!!!