Refreshing and very pretty, Orange Iced Tea lifts up mood instantly. Fresh orange juice infused with tea and a hint of mint; it’s an easy and healthy infusion to drink anytime. I was filled with happy thoughts just by looking at it and don’t they say happy health begins with happy thoughts 🙂
Every Thursday, 3 of us volunteer at Lar Beiral, an old age home here in Luanda. We plan a fun evening with a little music, which they all have to sing as well; a small hands activity and then snacks. I think one of the most beautiful part is that we prepare the snacks ourselves. We realised while it is super easy and sometimes even cheaper to just buy snacks, unless we make it ourselves, they won’t feel our love in the food. It’s simple food with one sweet and one savoury snack and an iced tea (which normally is like a room temperature tea by the time we end up serving it).
This Thursday, I made this orange iced tea for them. It’s fresh and doesn’t take must effort either. I prepared the orange tea concoction in the morning before going to gym. By the time I was back it was cool enough to go in fridge and then just before leaving I mixed it with cold water and orange slices. Apart from filling the bottle with orange slices, I also took lots of orange slices separately to put one in each cup. They were so happy by just looking at it.
We aren’t allowed to take milk based drinks else fruit smoothies would be a very healthy and filling drink option for the elders, but next week I am planning to take the refreshing Mango and Lime cooler.
Orange Iced Tea
Ingredients (1cup = 240ml; 1tbsp = 15ml; 1tsp = 5ml)
- 8 oranges
- 5 tsp black tea , more if you want a stronger tea. *
- 3 tbsp rock sugar , you can use regular sugar or maple syrup and adjust the sweetness
- 10-15 leaves fresh mint
- 5 ltr cold water
Instructions
- Juice 6 oranges directly into a deep pan. Add all the pulp as well. Add about 2 cups water and sugar. Mix well and bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat. Put the tea leaves in a closed tea strainer and add to the juice and sugar mix. Cover and let the tea steep for about 5 mins. After 5 mins, remove the tea strainer and leave the concoction on the counter to cool down to room temperature. Takes about an hour.
- Refrigerate the concoction for at least about 2-3 hours. If you don’t have enough time, it’s okay, just add a lot of extra ice!
- Cut the remaining 2 oranges into quarter slices.
- To prepare, add the orange slices and mint leaves in the serving jar/ bottle. Add the concoction and cold water. Mix well. Add ice if required.
- To serve, add one orange slice in each glass and pour in the refreshing orange cooler. Enjoy cold!
Notes
- * Use loose leaf tea as far as possible as they have the best aroma and flavour. I used regular Indian chai blend. Early Grey or English Breakfast tea would also be good options. You can also use caffeine free tea blend.
This cool, and refreshing fruity drink is a perfect welcome drink for any lunch or dinner you are hosting. What is your favourite fruit tea flavours? I just can’t get enough of orange! I make orange cake, orange cookie(which is eggless too!) and my next is to try making orange marmalade. Any suggestions on recipe?
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[…] old trick. However, have you ever considered adding oranges to your black tea instead? Well, this orange iced tea recipe gives you the perfect opportunity to try this combination out. Apart from the tea and oranges, you […]