6 Teas To Make Your Heart Sing

February can be a tough month. In many parts of the world— and particularly here in New York City— it’s still as cold as January was, and the springtime of March seems so far off that it might be forever before we finally get to start peeling off the parkas and dig out that one pair (or twelve) of supercute ankle boots that aren’t expressly required to have snowproof traction soles.

(Sorry. I really like boots.)

That’s why it can be a relief to have Valentine’s Day show up during the middle of the month. Even if you’re single, it’s an excuse to add color and confections to your world for a day; don’t things seem brighter with the additions of red, pink, and cocoa?

And let’s not forget about the music! It’s love song season, so why not cozy up with a cuppa that might just pair perfectly with one of these tunes.

1. Cupid's Cup and "Cupid Shuffle" by Cupid

I couldn’t start this list without it. Especially since this bright fruity tea hits the spot so to speak! It's sweet strawberry flavor with rose petals is dreamy and and bright. Add some honey and this tea may even make you want to get up and dance!

This tea is a limited-edition tea that is only available through Valentine's Day or while supplies last. Make sure to get yours before it's gone!

2. Cinnamon Rooibos Chai and “Firework” by Katy Perry

Cinnamon Rooibos Chai has so much going for it: rather than being a huge EXPLOSION of spicy, spark-induced flavor, instead you get to enjoy a cup that feels more like a slow burn— all the way to the finish.

I love the idea of adding a bit of AdagioBees raw honey to it, especially since Adagio has the options to try a Rooibos-specific honey as well as a sampler for herbal teas in general.

These go so well because “Firework” is about being true to yourself, and trusting that you can be as wondrous and beautiful as a rocket struck with a match, ascending higher and higher as smoke and cinders fall behind you, allowing yourself to burn brightly against a night sky of your own constellations. It’s not just a love song that someone out there could be singing to you, but it’s a love song that you should try singing to yourself. Yes, you are that awesome.

3. Cherry Marzipan Oolong and “You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To” by Helen Merrill with Clifford Brown

Did you ever want to drink a slice of cake— and afterwards, have the wonderful surprise of your tummy feeling better than it did before? That’s what this oolong is like. Adagio’s drinkable rendition of Cherry Marzipan Oolong is all the best parts of an oolong— rich, nutty, sweet, and every-so-slightly rough on the back of your tongue— brought to life with some extra fun in the added fruit-sugar accents. You wouldn’t need to sweeten this one too much, so try brewing it in a decorative set of glassware instead, to let both your eyes and mouth feast on this sumptuous dessert.

As I stated with the previous song, I’m as guilty as any Millennial of being inclined to drift towards alternative rock, to the point that it functions as both musical comfort food and necessary power bar of power chords. That’s why I leave a few spots on this playlist for soft, slow-flowing jazz— it might not be my regular go-to, but so what? It’s the soul of the song that matters. And “You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To” is just Valentine’s Day 101, right in the lyrics. With a comfort food kind of tea like Cherry Marzipan Oolong and the vestiges of winter blowing outside, I’d want to come home to this song— and oolong— all day long.

5. Lychee Rose Green and “Embraceable You” by Billie Holiday

Sometimes, you don’t just want a hug. You want a downright embrace, with its two full syllables of wrapping someone tightly in a gesture of affection. Lychee Rose Green makes no mistake about the way it does just that: you have not only the floral sweetness of the rose and lychee to take care of your sensibilities, but the green balances them out without overpowering or being overpowered by its accents. (I appreciate how Adagio realizes that green tea is a perfect base for teas like this, since black wouldn’t be able to let the lychee come out, or at least not to its full effect. If you prefer a heartier variation though, can’t go wrong with April In Paris— it was a close second for choosing teas for this article!)

And let me tell you, it complements Billie Holiday too well. When the air in your room smells like newly-steeped roses, what else would you want to listen to, if not one of the legendary voices in jazz who also wore flowers in her hair? Something tells me that you’ll be feeling pretty huggable yourself.

6. Pina Colada and “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)” by Ruper Holmes

There now, we had to throw in a tea with some sassy fun to it! Pina Colada is a fruity blast of flavors that don’t often come along with the standard way that we think about most teas. It’s got enough pineapple, coconut, hibiscus, rosehips, and apples pieces to qualify as almost a smoothie, and the good news is that the nutritional benefits of dried fruit are still accessible when steeped, which means that you can enjoy this and teas like Fruit Medley to your heart’s— and immune system’s— content.

As for the song, who doesn’t know this classic? Who could forget this song in the background of Shrek when the hero meets the love of his life, Princess Fiona (virtually), for the first time? Go drink your Pina Colada and let yourself get caught in the rain. (Maybe that’s why this tea is so perfect— it helps you make sure that you’re taking plenty of vitamin C if you’re actually going to go out in rainy weather! Please don’t get sick when it’s still cold and wet out there!)

What are your favorite love songs, or love-inspired teas? Let us know in the comments!

Cheers!

Natasha Nesic

NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, Founder of Work Life Fitness