This recipe makes sweet tea even better by adding vibrant citrus and tart cranberries.
It’s cool, a bit sour, and just sweet enough. It’s great for sipping on a hot afternoon or offering during a family get-together.
The mix of cranberries and oranges makes it a terrific drink for the holidays, too!
Let’s prepare a batch that tastes great.
Ingredients
- Four bags of black tea
- Four cups of water
- One cup of cranberry juice that is 100% juice and not sweetened
- ½ cup of fresh orange juice (approximately two oranges)
- ⅓ cup of honey (or sugar, to taste)
- 1 orange, cut into slices to use as a garnish
- ½ cup of fresh cranberries
- Cubes of ice
Equipment
- A medium-sized saucepan
- Big pitcher that won’t break in the heat
- Juicer for citrus
- Spoon made of wood
- Cups for measuring
- Cutting board and knife
Instructions
- Put 4 cups of water in a medium pot and bring it to a boil. Take it off the stove and add the four bags of black tea. Let the tea bags sit for 5 to 7 minutes before taking them out.
- Add ⅓ cup of honey (or sugar) to the tea while it is still warm and stir until it is completely dissolved.
- Add 1 cup of cranberry juice and 1/2 cup of fresh orange juice to the tea. Mix well.
Let the tea cool to room temperature, then put it in the fridge for at least an hour. Fill glasses with ice, pour the iced tea over, then top with orange slices and fresh cranberries when you’re ready to serve.
Tips and Variations
- Make Strong Tea: Adding juice and ice to the tea makes sure the flavor doesn’t get watered down.
- Change the sweetness: Before adding a lot of honey or sugar, taste it. Cranberry juice might be sour, but orange juice makes the tea taste sweet.
- Chill Fast: If you don’t have much time, pour the hot tea over a pitcher of ice to cold it down rapidly.
- Fresh Juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice tastes the finest, but bottled juice works in a pinch.
- Cranberry Garnish Tip: Frozen cranberries are like tiny ice cubes that don’t make your tea watery.
More Flavor Ideas
- You can use maple syrup or simple syrup instead of honey.
- If you want a lighter flavor, use green tea instead of black tea.
- For a bubbly twist, add a splash of sparkling water.
- For a tart citrus flavor, use lemon juice instead of orange.
Storage and Serving Suggestions
Make the tea ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to three days. To keep the tastes fresh, add the cranberries and orange slices immediately before serving.
Store in a covered pitcher in the fridge for up to three days. Before serving, stir.
Pour leftover tea into an ice cube tray and freeze it to produce flavored ice cubes for drinking later.
Final Thoughts
It’s time to sip and enjoy! This sweet tea is crisp, fruity, and refreshing. It’s great any time of year.
It will be a hit whether you make a lot for a party or just a small amount for yourself.
Give it a try and leave a comment to let me know how it went!
Do you have any fun changes?
I’d love to hear them! ☕🍊🍷