Today we’re elevating your afternoon break with this refreshing Gourmet Lemon Iced Tea. It’s the perfect chilled drink for those hot summer days. Let’s get to the recipe!
Ingredients for the Gourmet Lemon Iced Tea:
- 2 large black tea bags (your brand of choice);
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar;
- 1 3/4 cups water (divided);
- 1 Meyer lemon (or regular lemon), sliced for flavor and garnish;
- Ice cubes, to taste.
How to Prepare the Gourmet Lemon Iced Tea:
- In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water with the sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes until the sugar dissolves into a simple syrup. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a separate small pot or kettle, boil the remaining 3/4 cup of water. Add the black tea bags and steep for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool to room temperature.
- Stir the simple syrup into the brewed tea.
- Fill a tall glass with plenty of ice and lemon slices, then pour the tea mixture over it.
- Feel free to add a sprig of fresh mint if you’d like for an extra burst of freshness.
- Enjoy!
Did You Know?
While the historical origins of tea as a medicinal herb remain elusive, its evolution into a social beverage dates back at least to the Tang Dynasty. The first Europeans to encounter tea were the Portuguese, who arrived in Japan in 1543. As Europe began importing tea leaves, it quickly gained popularity among the elite in France and the Netherlands. In England, the tradition is famously attributed to Catherine of Braganza, a Portuguese princess who married King Charles II in 1662. Catherine hosted “tea parties,” establishing tea as a fashionable drink. By the early 19th century, the iconic “afternoon tea” ritual was institutionalized by Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford in London (Source: Wikipedia).
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