A red bottle with white dots, highlighted in gold, where the dots seem to swirl like snowflakes: Christmas in Love, by Mariage Frères, is recognisable from afar. The tall bottle, with its double lid, contains at least 80 g of a festive black tea with notes of fruit and gentle spices, at the crossroads of the house’s In Love and Christmas collections.

The declared composition combines tea, hibiscus, almond, rosehip, cinnamon, rose and flavourings. Almond appears as an ingredient; the blend may contain traces of nuts. It is listed in the catalogue under the Jardin Premier label. Caffeine content is moderate.

The liquor is round and tender. The fruit opens the cup, with hibiscus and rosehip lending a slightly tart note and a redder colour; Christmas almond rounds it off, sweet and milky; cinnamon warms without burning; rose comes through in the finish and gives the blend the romantic character the house champions. The black tea holds everything together with discreet tannins.

This is an afternoon tea, for December and the days around it, with gingerbread, shortbread and a red fruit Yule log. Preferably served plain, as hibiscus does not sit well with milk; a touch of honey suits it. Thanks to its bottle, it is also a gift ready to give.

Allow 2.5 g per 200 ml of water at 95 °C and five minutes of steeping. Once the bottle is opened, close both lids after each use and keep it away from heat and humidity, which dried fruit attracts; the blend thus keeps its fragrance until the following festive season.