Ice Tea ~ Perfect Summer Cooler

Prep Time : 10 mins                                                 Cook Time : 0 mins

INGREDIENTS :

  • 4 cups boiling water
  • 3 tea bags OR 4 tsp. loose black tea
  • juice of 1 fresh lime or lemon
  • 1 inch piece ginger, grated
  • 1/4 to 1/3 cup sugar (taste-test for sweetness, adding more sugar as desired), or equivalent of syrup
  • pinch of salt
  • ice cubes or crushed ice

Garnish: slices of fresh lime or lemon and sprigs of fresh mint

METHOD :

  1. Boil 4 cups water in a pot on the stove Add the loose tea or tea bags. Stir well.
  2. Allow tea to steep for at least 5-6 minutes while you add the other ingredients.
  3. Grate the ginger into the tea . Stir well.
  4. Add the sugar , starting with 1/4 cup. Stir to dissolve. Taste-test for sweetness, adding more sugar (1-2 Tbsp. at a time) until your desired sweetness level is reached.
  5. Squeeze the lime or lemon juice into the tea, and add a pinch of salt. Stir well.
  6. Using a strainer and a ladle, strain the tea into a jug. Place jug in the refrigerator for an hour, or until tea is cold. OR, if you want to enjoy the tea right away, strain into glasses filled with ice.
  7. Garnish the glasses with fresh lime slices and sprigs of fresh mint or sweet basil. Add straws if desired. ENJOY!!

Serves : 2