Nightcap

Okay so when this was hot… and I mean really hot, I didn’t like it at all. Bleh!
but then I added way to much sugar (for my liking, just to make it ok) and let it cool down… and oh my goodness it’s mulled wine! I can’t believe they made it taste like I am actually drinking wine. I even have the dry-mouth pasties!
I don’t think it’s worth buying again, but I certainly appreciate the experience. I certainly would never turn away a free cuppa…
The hibiscus works perfectly here. One time I really did not mind it.

Hmm, this one’s interesting. I picked up that there was hibiscus in it right away, just from the aroma, but luckily it’s not overly prominent in the flavour. In fact, it actually works fairly well here, adding a bit of bite. As a result, this does taste somewhat reminiscent of a mulled wine, but I’m not a huge fan. Another that’s great to have tried, but I’m not upset that it’s gone! Thanks Janelle!

Wow, now that’s a reverse experience from Aperitif (also in the wine collection)!
After trying that one, which had been a disaster for me, I had been scared to open up that wine collection box and give another one a go. I wasn’t entirely sure it had been a good choice to do so when I smelled this tea brewed, it smelled a lot like…. mulled wine! Yeah, I know, “what are you expecting from a mulled wine tea? to have it smell like curry?” Of course, of course, but I was really afraid to once again find that alcohol taste in it, which I terribly disliked in Aperitif. Now, I hear you again, “why would you even buy a WINE collection if you don’t like the taste of alcohol?”. That’s a good question, really. Stupid wish of trying every single DT put aside, I never really thought a tea could actually taste of alcohol. That was until I tried Aperitif. But we’re getting off-topic, sort of!

So, the brewed smell did nothing to reassure me. But then I tasted it, and phew, it doesn’t taste of alcohol! It does have a red wine taste though, and it sure looks exactly like red wine (impressive color!). I happen to like it, probably because it’s tart (from the hibiscus I’d guess), and I love everything tart. I would have to disagree with Faith about it not being too different from the other spicy-fruity teas, I think it’s pretty different exactly because of that red wine flavour, but I will totally agree with her about other ones being more worth it, for example Kanpe (or, in the tart department, my new love, Sleigh Ride). But if you love the taste of mulled wine, you might actually fall for this! And careful hibiscus haters, it comes out strongly!

First one to review this tea, oh yeah!

Alright, let’s get down to business (to defeat… the Huns! Sorry, Mulan moment). The initial smell of the steeped tea is quite lovely: cloves, rosehips, with hints of orange and berries. The first taste is initially the same, but there’s a lingering aftertaste of wine, which I assume is from the “flavouring” in the ingredients. It’s not horrible, but it does linger for a long time and it gives the other flavours a roundness… if you could call it that. It’s not enough of a unique tea to differentiate it from other fruity + spice blends, I’m pretty sure I have tasted this same tea dozens of times, but not spent so much on the tea. Kind of disappointing considering the size of the tins and the amount one pays for them.

Overall: alright for a fruity, spicy tea. Nice for the evening since it’s caffeine-free and tastes like mulled cider, but not special enough to distinguish itself from the dozens of other spicy fruit teas on the market. I’d rather spend my money on Kanpe, it has nearly the same fruity, hibiscus, cinnamon taste (minus the mistletoe, cloves, orange and marigold, but I’m not sure how much flavour they add anyways) and it’s for a good cause.

It’s not bad. After all, i finished my big cup. But it reminds me of when I drank too much red wine and cheese and I threw up. Same taste. (So don’t be sad that you didn’t buy it when it was still available!

Day 38 of my 101 days of David’s Tea challenge.

Mmm. This was pretty good. 1tbsp in my two-cupper. The mix of fruity sweetness and spice does remind me of a mulled drink, so I can imagine it as a substitute for mulled wine. Minus the acohol-taste, of course. It brewed to a purplish colour, which was beautiful (and again, reminiscent of red wine).

I tried resteeping it, which gave a hint of the spice again, but was nowhere near as nice or as potent. Though, that seems somewhat normal of tisanes.

I certainly wish they kept this on the David’s shelves! I’d certainly buy it.

Oh my goodness..I am in love with this tea.
It seems to me to basically be Tazo’s Passion Tea times a thousand(and I love Tazo’s Passion Tea).
I was surprised at how richly fruity it was and it had the perfect tartness of a good wine.
It is perfect for cold nights,relaxing with a book or as a mid-day taste boom.
I think it would be great iced.

I really hope I can find some in stock,since this will replace the passion tea for me..yeah I’m in that deep with this tea.