Berry-Basil Ice Tea


A refreshing summer drink!  You know you want to enjoy some out on the porch ... or patio!


Welcome to this month's episode of the Secret Recipe Club, where members make a recipe from another member's blog and post their version.  This month I was assigned Amy's Cooking Adventures.  Amy's goal is to make healthy, delicious meals that the whole family can enjoy.  She takes all her own mouth-watering photos, and I love how she poses the food and her artistry at arranging the backgrounds.   I'm just lucky if my own photos are in focus.  I have much to learn.

Anyway, back to food.  I quickly booked several recipes from which to select.  The Caramelized Onion Bread looked to die for.  And the Hummus Egg Salad would have a been mad-simple-cheat since I coincidentally made a batch of my own homemade just the other day.

Then summer descended upon upon New Jersey.  The temps (at the time I wrote this) tickled the 90s.  I needed something fast, refreshing and chilling.


Berry-Basil Ice Tea!  Cool and quick.  With a heap of yum added, no extra charge.  Rosemary and basil gives the tea a sophisticated flavor, and the small amount white grape juice lent juuust enough sweetness to play off the savory herbs.   Amy mentioned that she used a mixture of three different berries.  But the recipe itself is not so specific, plus raspberries, blackberries and blueberries were still a little pricy so I used strawberries instead (the fact that they are my favorite type of berry is just a coincidence). 

I happen to not mind a little pulp in my drinks (in fact, it lets people know that real fruit gave its life for your enjoyment) so I skipped the second straining step.  I also used less ice in the pitcher to avoid really diluting the drink.

Totally loved it!  Just as you will.  Thanks, Amy!


 Berry-Basil Ice Tea
Adapted from Amy's Cooking Adventures
Yield: about 8 servings (8 cups)

4 cups water
1 cup very ripe strawberries, lightly mashed, plus more for garnish
1/4 cup basil leaves, loosely packed
1 small sprig rosemary, woody stems removed
6 bags green tea
1 Tbl. honey (or agave syrup for a vegan alternative)
1/2 cup white grape juice
1 cup ice cubes, plus more for serving

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a 2-quart or larger saucepan over high heat.

Remove from heat.  Stir in the berries, basil, rosemary and honey (or agave syrup).  Pop in the green tea bags. Let steep for 5 minutes.

Place the ice cubes in a plastic or glass pitcher.

Strain out the large solids by pouring the tea through a colander into a large bowl.  Pour the tea into the ice filled pitcher. Stir in the white grape juice.


Serve in tall ice-filled glasses.  Garnish if you like with a few extra berries.  Serve immediately.
 

Comments

Miz Helen said…
We will really enjoy this refreshing Berry Basil Ice Tea, it is headed to my back porch. It is fun cooking with you in the SRC!
Miz Helen
June 8, 2015 at 7:41 AM
Renee Paj said…
Basil and strawberry were made to be together! What a great refreshing drink and a great SRC choice!
June 8, 2015 at 8:53 PM
Michaela Kenkel said…
I am having a love affair with all things basil --- I HAVE to try this!! Looks amazing!
June 8, 2015 at 10:44 PM
Mary Garcia said…
Strawberry and basil is one of my favorite combinations! I bet it's lovely in the tea! Great choice for this month!
June 9, 2015 at 3:31 PM
Colleen Bauer said…
Perfect for summer!
June 11, 2015 at 11:15 AM
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