Hot Damn cinnamon liqueur poured into the bottom of a mason jar and topped with sweet tea makes the Herbal Flame, an unusually Southern-influenced warm drink. The liqueur's spicy-sweet cinnamon heat meets the tannin-rich character of Southern-style sweet tea, the two combining into a warming, regionally distinctive cocktail. A cinnamon stick is suggested as both garnish and stirrer, left in the glass to reinforce the spice. At roughly 12 percent alcohol by volume, it is straightforward to assemble, asking only that the liqueur be layered beneath the tea and stirred together.
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Herbal flame
Ingrédients
Instructions
Pour Hot Damn 100 in bottom of a jar or regular glass. Fill the rest of the glass with sweet tea. Stir with spoon, straw, or better yet a cinnamon stick and leave it in.
The Herbal Flame is a warm cocktail combining Hot Damn cinnamon liqueur with sweet tea, served in a mason jar. The spicy, sweet cinnamon heat of the Hot Damn blends with the sweet, tannin-rich character of Southern-style sweet tea for an unusually warming, Southern-influenced combination. A cinnamon stick is suggested as both garnish and stirrer.
History & Origins
The Herbal Flame is an American casual drink that draws on the Southern tradition of sweet tea — one of the defining beverages of the American South — combined with the cinnamon-flavored liqueur that became popular in American bars during the 1990s. Hot Damn 100-proof cinnamon schnapps was a widely used product in the same era as Goldschläger and other cinnamon spirits. Its specific origin is disputed.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: cinnamon spice from the Hot Damn and sweet, tannic black tea from the sweet tea. Palate: warm and spicy with cinnamon's heat and sweetness blending with the tea's tannins and sweetness, creating an unusual Southern-spiced combination. Finish: warm, cinnamon-spiced, and sweet with a lingering tea tannin and a gentle spirit heat.
Pro Tip
Use a strongly brewed, properly sweetened Southern-style sweet tea and add a cinnamon stick as both a garnish and a stirrer to reinforce the cinnamon character throughout drinking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients are in a Herbal Flame cocktail?
The Herbal Flame combines Hot Damn cinnamon schnapps liqueur with sweet iced tea, served in a mason jar. The cinnamon heat of Hot Damn plays against the mellow sweetness of Southern-style tea, creating a warming, spiced drink.
How is the Herbal Flame served?
The Herbal Flame is typically served in a mason jar over ice, evoking Southern porch-drink culture. The generous vessel allows for easy stirring and a relaxed, casual presentation that suits the cocktail's down-home character.
What is the flavor profile of the Herbal Flame?
The Herbal Flame delivers a sweet-and-spicy experience: the cinnamon fire of Hot Damn schnapps warms the palate while sweet tea's tannins provide grounding bitterness. It is approachable, easy to sip, and well-suited to casual outdoor occasions.
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