For these lion days of March, curl up with a zesty, full-flavored Spiced Chai Tea. Here's a homemade recipe, but feel free to experiment and create your own blend with spices such as cardamom, allspice and star anise. Enough for a crowd.

SPICED CHAI TEA

• 2 cups water
  
• 1/4 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  
• 1 cinnamon stick
  
• 3 to 4 pinches freshly grated nutmeg
  
• 1 teaspoon minced peeled fresh ginger
  
•   1/2 vanilla bean, finely chopped
  
• 2 teaspoons Darjeeling or similar black tea leaves
  
• 2 cups 2 percent or whole milk
  
• 1/2 cup honey

Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in the spices, vanilla bean and tea leaves. Cover, remove from the heat and steep for 15 minutes. Add the milk and warm the mixture over medium heat until steaming, but not simmering. Remove from the heat, strain and pour into 4 mugs, discarding the solids. Stir 2 tablespoons of honey into each mug and serve.

-- "Some Like It Hot: 50 Drinks to Warm Your Spirits"