Description
Warm, comforting spiced apple tea perfect for chilly days. Infused with apples, oranges, cinnamon, and cloves for a delightful sweet and spicy flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 cups water
- 4 black tea bags (or 4 tablespoons loose leaf black tea)
- 2 medium apples, cored and chopped (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji work well)
- 1 orange, sliced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup, or to taste)
- Optional garnishes: apple slices, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise
Instructions
- Boil the water: In a large pot or Dutch oven, bring 8 cups of water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add spices and fruit: Add the chopped apples, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, ground nutmeg, and ground allspice to the pot.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-45 minutes, depending on desired flavor intensity.
- Add tea: Add black tea bags (or loose leaf tea in a tea infuser) and steep for 3-5 minutes. Remove tea bags or infuser.
- Strain: Strain the tea through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth-lined colander into a large pitcher or serving pot. Discard the solids.
- Sweeten: Add honey (or maple syrup) to taste, starting with 2 tablespoons. Stir until dissolved.
- Serve: Pour into mugs and garnish as desired.
Notes
- Apple Choice: Granny Smith apples add tartness, while Honeycrisp or Fuji add sweetness.
- Spice Freshness: Freshly ground spices offer a more intense flavor.
- Steeping Time: Avoid over-steeping the tea to prevent bitterness.
- Sweetness: Adjust the sweetener to your preference.
- Variations: Experiment with other spices like cardamom or ginger, or fruits like pears or cranberries. For a richer flavor, use apple cider instead of water.
- Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes