Ireland is among the heaviest tea drinking nations on earth per person, and the Irish cup is famously strong: a robust blend heavy in Assam leaf, brewed until it is the color of a well polished mahogany sideboard, then softened with milk. Visitors are offered tea within minutes of arriving anywhere, and declining it is technically allowed. The kettle goes on for good news, bad news and every news in between.

Making it well is simple but not careless. The pot is warmed, the water is freshly boiled, and the tea is given its full time. On a race day, a pot on the table at the start of the formation lap will see you comfortably to the first round of pit stops.

The tea

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 cups (1.1 liters) fresh cold water
• 4 Irish breakfast tea bags
• about 1/2 cup (120 ml) cold whole milk
• to taste sugar

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