Classic iced tea

I grew up amongst a family of tea drinkers.  We’d drink tea for breakfast, morning tea, afternoon tea, and finish the day with a cuppa tea before bed. 

With the continued proliferation of cafes, coffee roasters and baristas (at least here in my small corner of the world) it’s easy to believe that these days the humble cup of tea might play second fiddle to coffee in all its glorious forms.

But surprisingly, tea remains the second most consumed beverage on Earth after water.  Its global consumption is so great in fact that it equals the combined consumption of all other manufactured drinks including the coffee, soft drinks, and alcohol.  I don’t know about you, but I find this fact to be pretty mind blowing!

While I’m a bit of a coffee convert these days, there’s certainly something quite comforting about a nice cup of tea on a cold winter’s day. Surprisingly hot tea can also be extremely refreshing on a sweltering summer’s day… if you don’t believe me, give it a try next time the mercury levels are rising!

If you’re not sold on the idea, then perhaps this classic iced tea may be more for you.  

A friend of mine reminded me how refreshing iced tea can be when I was invited to hers for dinner a few weeks back and I’ve been wanting to brew some of my own ever since.

I’m so glad I finally did.  It was just as I’d imagined.  The honey and lemon contrast well with the tannins in the tea.  Served icy cold, it makes for a wonderfully refreshing drink.  Cheers.

Classic iced tea

2014-02-05 15:59:25

Serves 4

A simple, refreshing beverage

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Ingredients

1. 4 English breakfast teabags (or equivalent if using loose tea)
2. 2 cups boiling water
3. 2 ½ tbsp honey
4. 1 cup iced water
5. 2 cups ice cubes
6. juice of ½ lemon
7. 1 lemon, thinly sliced

Instructions

1. In a teapot or heatproof jug, brew 4 tea bags in 2 cups of boiling water for 5 minutes.
2. Remove the tea bags then add the honey while the water is still warm.
3. Leave to cool, then transfer to a serving jug / pitcher.
4. Add the iced water, lemon juice, ice cubes and lemon slices.
5. Serve in glasses with a sprig of mint if desired.

Notes

1. Feel free to adjust the amount of honey, depending on your preferred sweetness and the bitterness of the tea.

A Sweet Muddle http://www.asweetmuddle.com/