On a hot day, drinking enough water is crucial to cool down and to keep your body and mind hydrated. Although water remains the best way to do just that, sometimes one needs something with a bit more flavour to just satisfy the thirst. This homemade iced tea is just perfect to make sure that you drink enough ‘healthy’ liquid. Yes, a shop-bought version is easy and convenient, but you may not realise just how much sugar is added to some iced teas and other cold drinks. There could be the equivalent of up to five or even seven teaspoons of sugar in some of these.
Rooibos is the base of this tea and is known for its health properties. The other ingredients like cinnamon, ginger and lemon are also full of goodness, so this is more than just a drink, it’s healthy too. Make a big batch of this iced tea recipe from Heleen Meyer and have it on hand in your fridge to cool down with.
Rooibos & berry iced tea
Recipe by Heleen Meyer, from Kos is op die tafel!
Makes 2 litres
8 plain or berry-flavoured Rooibos tea bags
1 whole cinnamon stick
6 thin slices fresh ginger
6-8 whole cloves
6-7 cardamom pods, crushed to expose the seeds (optional)
1,5 litres boiling water
75-90 ml (5-6 tbsp) fresh lemon juice or to taste
500-750 ml (2-3 cups) clear fruit juice of your choice, like apple, grape or berry, chilled
ice cubes, fresh mint leaves, fresh or frozen blueberries or strawberries and slices of lemon
1. Place tea bags with spices in a large jug. Pour boiling water over and mix well. Set aside for 2-3 hours to allow the tea to infuse. Remove the spices and tea bags. Refrigerate tea until needed.
2. Stir in the lemon juice and fruit juice. Add ice cubes, mint, fruit, and lemon slices just before serving and enjoy ice cold.
Visit Heleen’s website (www.heleenmeyer.co.za) for more recipes like this.
Image by Adel Ferreira, courtesy of Cooking from the heart SA, Pharma Dynamics
