Iced tea is probably one of my favorite beverages. And when I say “iced tea,” what I really mean is what some of you might refer to as “sweet tea”—the two are synonymous in my book. What’s the point of unsweetened iced tea? It’s never as refreshing as I hope it would be, and you can forget about trying to add sugar to it now because all of the crystals will just sink to the bottom of the glass (unless you go with a simple syrup). Although I tend to think of it more prevalently being consumed in the warmer months, today is as good a day as any to enjoy a refreshing beverage. Plus with it being Oscars Sunday I thought you might enjoy an idea for something to serve at your viewing party—be it an actual party or just yourself at home on the couch. Feel free to add your favorite spirit (vodka or a white rum should go well) to turn it into a tasty cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 8 tea bags (Tazo “Passion” in this instance)
- 2 cups sugar, plus more as desired
- blood orange slices, for garnish
Procedure:
I decided to switch up the usual Lipton version and go with some bags of Tazo “Passion” tea that were hanging out in my cabinet. Throw them in a sauce pan with enough water to cover (I also like to tie them together so it’s easier to discard). Place on the stove and bring to a simmer for a few minutes (let’s say three). Discard the tea bags and stir in the sugar while the liquid is still hot—this way it dissolves effortlessly without the otherwise constant stirring if it were allowed to chill first. Next, pour in a pitcher and fill with water. At this point you can give it a taste to see if you want to add more sugar. Once you have achieved your desired level of sweetness, throw in a few ice cubes to help chill it down along with some nice slices of citrus for added flavor and eye-appeal. Now just sit, back, relax, and let the time roll by…
I always get this from Starbucks. I’ll have to try it on my own one day!