Description
This Orange Cinnamon Iced Tea is a refreshing and flavorful summer beverage that combines the robust taste of black tea with the sweet and spicy notes of orange and cinnamon. Sweetened naturally with honey, this iced tea is perfect for cooling down on warm days while offering a balanced, aromatic drink that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Tea Base
- 8 cups water
- 4 black tea bags (or 4 tablespoons loose leaf black tea)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
Flavoring
- 1 large orange, sliced
Sweetener
- 1/4 cup honey (or more, to taste)
To Serve
- Ice cubes
- Orange slices, for garnish (optional)
- Cinnamon sticks, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Boil Water: In a large pot, bring 8 cups of water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add Tea and Spices: Remove the pot from heat and add the black tea bags (or loose leaf tea) along with the cinnamon sticks, fully submerging the tea bags.
- Infuse Tea: Cover the pot and steep the tea and spices for 5-7 minutes, with 6 minutes recommended for a balanced flavor.
- Add Orange Slices: Add the sliced orange to the pot and press gently to release its juices, infusing the tea with citrus flavor.
- Continue Infusing: Cover again and allow the tea to infuse for an additional 15-20 minutes, or up to 30 minutes for a stronger orange and cinnamon taste.
- Remove Tea Bags and Spices: Take out the tea bags and cinnamon sticks, gently squeezing the tea bags to extract remaining flavor, then discard them.
- Strain Orange Slices: Strain the tea through a fine-mesh sieve or a cheesecloth-lined colander to remove the orange slices and any pulp, discarding the solids.
- Add Honey: While the tea is still warm, stir in the honey until fully dissolved, starting with 1/4 cup and adjusting to your preferred sweetness.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the tea and add more honey if desired to reach your ideal sweetness level.
- Cool Tea: Let the tea cool down to room temperature before proceeding.
- Refrigerate (Optional): For maximum flavor, refrigerate the tea for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight.
- Prepare Glasses: Fill serving glasses with ice cubes to chill the tea when poured.
- Pour Iced Tea: Pour the chilled tea over the ice-filled glasses.
- Garnish (Optional): Garnish each glass with orange slices and cinnamon sticks for an elegant presentation.
- Serve: Serve immediately and enjoy your refreshing Orange Cinnamon Iced Tea!
Notes
- Adjust steeping times to modify the strength of the tea and the intensity of orange and cinnamon flavors.
- Honey can be substituted with other sweeteners like agave syrup or sugar if preferred.
- For a more intense citrus flavor, add a splash of fresh orange juice before serving.
- This tea can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Use loose leaf tea for a richer flavor, and be sure to strain carefully to avoid tea leaves in the final drink.
