Winterberry Iced Tea

Brew the Tea

1. In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.

2. Remove from heat and steep the 2 tea bags of black tea (I used earl grey) or 2 tablespoons of loose-leaf tea for 4-5 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea.

3. Then remove the tea bags or strain the loose leaves, and set the tea aside to cool.

Prepare the Winterberry Mix

4. In a large pot, combine the 1 cup of cranberry juice, 1/2 cup of apple juice/apple cider, 1/2 cup of pomegranate juice, and 1/2 cup blueberry juice. Stir well to combine.

5. Taste the juice blend and add the 1/4 cup of honey or maple syrup stirring until dissolved. If you prefer a sweeter or more bitter drink, you can adjust the sweetness to your liking.

6. Next add 1 whole cinnamon stick, 3 whole cloves, 1 star anise, and 1/2 teaspoon of grated ginger. You can substitute the cinnamon stick for ground cinnamon to your liking. Let this mixture simmer on low for 5-10 minutes.

7. Now add the black tea mixture to the pot and let the temperature come back to a medium boil and then let the mixture simmer on low for at least 20 minutes, however I would recommend simmering for 30 minutes to an hour to create the most flavorful mixture.

Chill:

8. Once the berry tea has finished simmering you can scoop out the ginger, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, and refrigerate the tea for at least 2-3 hours to chill thoroughly. You can also place it in the freezer after it has reached room temperature for a quicker chill, but be careful not to freeze it.

Serve:

9. Fill your most festive Christmas glasses with ice cubes and pour the winterberry iced tea over the ice.

10. Garnish with fresh winter berries like cranberries, blueberries, raspberries and also mint leaves, if desired. This makes the tea feel more festive as the berries are ornaments and the mint is a mistletoe!

11. Enjoy! ♡

Ingredients

Celebrate this Christmas/winter season with a refreshing twist on iced tea! This Winterberry Iced Tea is a holiday-inspired drink that combines the rich, bold flavors of black tea with the sweet and tart taste of winter berries/fruits like cranberries, pomegranates, apples and blueberries. Infused with cinnamon and ginger giving it a warm spicy kick, while honey brings a touch of natural sweetness. Whether you're hosting a Christmas dinner or enjoying a quiet winter afternoon, this iced tea adds a merry touch to your holiday gatherings and is the perfect drink to sip while enjoying the season.

This easy-to-make recipe brings the flavors of Christmas right to your glass. Start with brewed tea, then mix in a simple homemade berry syrup for that festive burst of color and flavor. Served over ice (even though it can be served hot too), it’s a refreshing yet seasonal beverage that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. With its vibrant red hue and delightful blend of winter fruits, winterberry iced tea will become a holiday favorite, adding a touch of Christmas magic to your celebrations all season long.

• 4 cups water

• 2 black tea bags of your choice (or 2 tablespoons loose-leaf black tea)

• 1 cup cranberry juice (unsweetened or lightly sweetened)

• 1/2 cup apple juice or apple cider

• 1/2 cup pomegranate juice

• 1/2 cup of blueberry juice

• 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional, for a warm kick)

• Fresh cranberries, blueberries or raspberries and mint leaves (for garnish)

• Ice cubes

Instructions

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