From our weekly series: The Sunday Steep
If you happen to live in the lower portion of the U.S., or you've done much traveling down South, you've likely experienced the wonder of Sweet Tea and Sweet Tea Punch. While I am solidly a Pacific Northwesterner, some of my fondest memories of vacationing in Tennessee and Kentucky are of enjoying the sweet, fruity, minty beverages served over ice! My version, I confess, is a little "crunchier" with fresh-squeezed orange juice and organic cranberry juice and sweetened with raw, organic honey...
Bring four cups of water to a boil. Meanwhile, put the Mint tea in a strainer, tea ball or paper infuser and put in a pitcher. Pour the hot water over the tea and allow to steep for 5-7 minutes. Remove tea infuser and add the fruit juice, raw honey to taste and 4 remaining cups of water to pitcher. Stir well and refrigerate and/or serve over ice. Garnish with fresh mint leaves, if desired. You can also add some club soda or ginger ale for carbonation, if you want your tea punch to have some pop!
