Alan Crone's Skier's Nog

4 cups milk
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup instant tea powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground allspice
Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

In a 3-qt saucepan, place milk, syrup, tea powder, cinnamon and allspice. Stirring occasionally over medium heat, cook just until mixture comes to a boil. Let stand for a few seconds until spices settle to bottom of saucepan. Serve in warmed mugs with a dollop of whipped cream or a small scoop of ice cream.

TO MICROWAVE: In a 3-quart glass bowl, place milk, syrup, tea powder, cinnamon and allspice. Microwave, uncovered, at 70% power for 6 to 7 minutes or until mixture bubbles around edges of the bowl, stirring twice. Let stand a few seconds and serve as above.

Makes 6 (6-ounce) servings.