Cinnamon Spiced Orange Iced Tea
Description:
This delightful Spiced Orange Iced Tea is the perfect refreshing beverage for hot summer days. The vibrant citrus flavor of fresh oranges is beautifully enhanced with the warmth of cinnamon, star anise, and a touch of sweetness. It’s a cooling, aromatic drink that brings together the best of citrus and spices, making it ideal for serving as a refreshing snack or casual drink.
Cuisine: Continental
Course: Snack
Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons Tea bags (or loose tea leaves)
- 2 Oranges
- 2 cups Water
- 1-inch Cinnamon Stick (Dalchini)
- 2 Star anise pieces
- 2 tablespoons Sugar
For Garnishing:
- Lemon wedges (few)
- 2-3 sprigs Mint leaves (Pudina)
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Instructions:
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Prepare the Oranges: Start by peeling the oranges. Set aside the peel for flavoring the tea and squeeze the fresh juice from the slices. Keep the juice in a bowl for later.
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Infuse the Tea: In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the tea bags (or loose tea leaves), orange peel, cinnamon stick, star anise, and sugar. Stir well and allow the water to simmer over medium heat for a few minutes, letting the spices and orange flavor infuse the water.
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Cool the Tea: Once the spices have fully infused the water, turn off the heat. Strain the liquid into a large jug and allow it to cool to room temperature.
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Combine with Orange Juice: Once the tea has cooled, add the freshly squeezed orange juice to the infused water. Stir to combine.
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Chill: Refrigerate the iced tea for at least 2 hours to chill.
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Serve: To serve, add 1-2 ice cubes to each glass. Pour the chilled Spiced Orange Iced Tea into the glass, and garnish with lemon wedges and a few sprigs of fresh mint leaves.
Enjoy this citrus-spiced, refreshing iced tea as the perfect way to cool off during the summer months!
This recipe transforms into a flavorful summer drink that balances sweet and spicy notes, making it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion!
