You’ll be transported to a warm, Zen-like place from the first sip of “Snow Falling On Pines.” Even saying the name relaxes you, doesn’t it? And doesn’t that sound like the perfect way to greet the new year?

This simple, calming green tea-concoction is one of many creative beverage recipes in “Hot Drinks” (Ten Speed Press, $16.95) by Mary Lou Heiss and Robert J. Heiss, the operators of Cooks Shop Here in Massachusetts.

Matcha is the ceremonial Japanese green tea powder, which can usually be found in the refrigerator case of Japanese markets. If you serve this drink recipe in glasses or drinking bowls, you can watch the cream slowly striating into the matcha. It’s what inspired the name of the drink.

Snow Falling On Pines

(serves 2)

2 cups water, boiled and cooled to 170 degrees (about 4 minutes)

2 teaspoons matcha powder

1/4 cup heavy cream, lightly whipped with 1 teaspoon sugar, for garnish

Red sanding sugar for garnish (optional)

Strain matcha through a fine-mesh sieve into 2 heatproof glasses or drinking bowls. Add 1 cup water to each, and whisk until matcha powder is dissolved.

Cover entire surface of the tea with cream to temporarily hide the wonderfully green matcha. Top with a sprinkle of red sanding sugar, if you choose, and serve right away.