Warm up a winter afternoon with friends, blends, and luscious tea-party fare. "The simple ritual of sharing a cup brings people together in a way that restores body, mind, and spirit," says tea expert Briar Winters.

The winter is typically filled with boisterous parties, decadent spreads, and noisy merry-makers. We're all for that, but for a change of pace, try indulging in an elegant, cozy tea party. Winters likes to gather friends over intimate chai instead of cocktails.

Wrap your hands around the perfect cup with some of her masterful methods. 

Supremely fragrant loose-leaf teas make for a sensual sipping experience. Make these blends your own by playing with flavors.

Crafting combinations yourself can be an exhilarating exercise for your senses. The blends don't need to be exotic. Winters mixes tea leaves with spice staples, like cinnamon and fennel seeds, and a few special ingredients, such as rose petals, cacao, and saffron, to create invigorating elixirs. With these recipes (all of which can be made ahead), you can, too.

Nutmeg, vanilla, and coconut flakes all add depth to chai.

Hibiscus flowers or fresh ginger taste delicious in rooibos.

Pomegranate seeds or a slice of citrus brighten green tea (and look gorgeous in the pot).

The menu at your afternoon get-together need not be fussy. Whole grain crackers stand in for traditional tea sandwiches. Salmon salad, sliced eggs with mustard, and tangy goat cheese and cucumber are healthy toppings. Toasted nuts dressed up with coconut also make an easy snack.

Serve dishes with both adult and kid appeal, like this simple and refreshing fruit salad of Asian pears, grapefruit, and pomegranate seeds.

"Desserts that are subtly sweet allow the tea to be the centerpiece," Winters says.

These rustic shortbread wedges are made with whole-wheat pastry flour for a light, crumbly texture. Complete the treat with winter citrus, such as clementines or blood oranges, and dark chocolate.

As if you needed more reasons to love a Bundt: Greek yogurt and olive oil make the texture of this Meyer lemon cake incredibly moist, and almond flour packs a flavorful protein boost.