Last week was all about trying to stay warm, drinking our hot cocoa, coffees and teas. This week is warming up, so now we transition from hot to cold drinks.
There are so many reasons to love iced tea, teas contain huge amounts of antioxidants, they have very few calories, and there are so many refreshing flavors to choose from.
This recipe uses red rooibos, which is an alternativeto green or black tea. Completely caffeine free, this plant harvested from south africa can be found in any grocery store.
This is a three-part recipe combined to make one delicious refreshing drink:
Loose Leaf Rooibos Chai Tea
2 cinnamon sticks
2 teaspoons cardamom pods, lightly crushed
1 teaspoon whole cloves
2 slices fresh ginger, quarter-size, lightly smashed
¼1/4 teaspoon whole black peppercorn
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons loose rooibos tea leaves or 2 tablespoons black tea leaves
-Let steep for 8 minutes in boiling hot water.
-Strain herbs out.
Vanilla Syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-Combine completely over medium heat. Let simmer, stirring continuously for 2 minutes.
Herbal, Vanilla Iced Chai Tea Latte
In a pint-sized mason jar, fill 3/4 of the way full of ice cubes. Pour a tablespoon of vanilla syrup and a tablespoon of milk in the bottom. Then fill almost to the top with chai tea. Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon of fresh cinnamon on top and stir to combine. Drink with a straw and ENJOY!
This recipe is a creation from gimmesomeoven.com/homemade-chai-tea-recipe/ with my own twist on it.
Story By: Savannah Palmer
savannah.palmer96@gmail.com
Photo Courtesy
Hussain Ibrahim from unsplash.com
