Recipe Name: Spiced Iced Tea 🍋🍊
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Description:
Indulge in the refreshing allure of Southern charm with this delightful Spiced Iced Tea recipe, straight from the heart of Southern Living’s cookbook collection. Perfect for lazy summer afternoons or vibrant brunch gatherings, this citrus-infused concoction is not only quick and easy to prepare but also bursting with tantalizing flavors that will leave your taste buds tingling for more. With just a few simple steps, you can whip up a pitcher of this Southern classic, allowing you to sit back, relax, and savor the essence of summertime in every sip. Plus, it can be prepared ahead of time, ensuring that you have a cool, invigorating beverage on hand whenever the craving strikes.
Recipe Category: Beverages 🥤
Keywords: Lemon, Oranges, Citrus, Fruit, Summer, Brunch, < 15 Mins, Stove Top, Easy
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2 | Water |
| 2 | Cinnamon Sticks |
| 1/2 | Whole Cloves |
| 3 | Sugar |
| 1/2 | Lemon Slice |
| 1 | Orange |
| 1 | Lemon Juice |
| Orange Juice | |
| Ice Cubes | |
| Mint Leaves (for garnish, optional) |
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 140.6
- Fat Content: 0.1g
- Saturated Fat Content: 0g
- Cholesterol Content: 0mg
- Sodium Content: 6.9mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 35.6g
- Fiber Content: 0.3g
- Sugar Content: 34.8g
- Protein Content: 0.7g
Yield: 8 cups
Recipe Instructions:
-
Prepare the Spiced Tea Base:
- In a Dutch oven, combine water, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and lemon slices.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, infusing the water with the warm, aromatic spices and citrus essence. Allow the flavors to meld together, creating a fragrant base for your iced tea.
-
Steep the Tea Bags:
- Once the mixture reaches a boil, remove it from the heat and carefully add the tea bags. Cover the Dutch oven with a lid and let the tea steep for approximately 5 minutes, allowing it to absorb the rich flavors of the spices and citrus.
-
Infuse with Sweetness:
- After steeping, using a slotted spoon, remove and discard the tea bags, cloves, and cinnamon sticks, allowing the spiced tea base to shine through.
- Stir in the sugar, gently dissolving it into the warm liquid until fully incorporated, infusing the tea with just the right amount of sweetness to balance the tartness of the citrus.
-
Add Citrus Juices:
- Once the sugar has dissolved, stir in the freshly squeezed juices of one lemon and one orange, infusing the tea with vibrant citrus flavors that dance on your palate with each sip. Feel free to adjust the amount of juice to suit your taste preferences, adding a burst of sunshine to every glass.
-
Chill and Serve:
- Transfer the spiced tea mixture to a pitcher and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify with time.
- When ready to serve, fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the chilled spiced tea over the ice, creating a refreshing oasis of flavor that beckons on hot summer days.
- For a touch of elegance, garnish each glass with a sprig of fresh mint, adding a pop of color and a subtle hint of herbal freshness to your Southern-inspired creation.
-
Enjoy!
- Sit back, relax, and savor the crisp, invigorating flavors of this Spiced Iced Tea, transporting yourself to a tranquil porch swing in the heart of the South with each delightful sip. Whether enjoyed on lazy afternoons or shared with loved ones during lively brunch gatherings, this Southern classic is sure to become a cherished favorite for any occasion. Cheers to the simple pleasures of Southern living! 🌞🍹
