EARL GREY AND ORANGE ICED TEA

This Earl Grey and orange combination is a no-brainer; it just makes sense. You would typically find iced teas flavoured with lime or lemon to give it that hint of acidity—which technically makes it an Arnold Palmer: sweet tea with lemonade—but since Earl Grey has hints of bergamot in it anyway, I switched up the citrus to an orange.

If I’m honest, I’ve never really liked the different variations you get with iced teas. Hibiscus, strawberry, cranberry, or one that I came across more recently, green apple. Not a fan. Peach or lemon for me, thank you. Having said that though, I think the dislike is more because of the artificial flavourings that are added to them. They taste like something medicinal almost, and um, artificial? I’m pretty sure I’d like them infinitely better if they used actual fruit in it.

You want the distinctive flavour of the Earl Grey to shine through in this drink without overpowering the orange notes. To ensure that, don’t brew your tea for too long (If you feel it’s too light, you can add another tea bag to take it up a notch). Also, if you’re looking at making it a cocktail, a dash of rum works really well here.

I haven’t been able to stop drinking this ever since I chanced upon the idea, and in fact, that’s precisely the reason why I have an ‘instant’ iced tea tip added to the instructions. I mean, who has the patience? All I have planned for this Sunday is to sit on my sun-drenched (more like sun-scorched, but still) balcony reading Game of Thrones with a big cold glass of iced tea in hand. See you on the other side!

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EARL GREY AND ORANGE ICED TEA

Servings

2 glasses

Ingredients

• 2 Earl Grey tea bags
• 3/4 cup orange juice
• 4 tsps sugar (or to taste)
• A few mint leaves

Servings 2 glasses Ingredients 2 Earl Grey tea bags 3/4 cup orange juice 4 tsps sugar (or to taste) A few mint leaves

Instructions

1. Immerse the tea bags in 2 cups of hot (not boiling) water for 1 minute. Remove and discard the bags.
2. Add ice cubes to your serving glasses and pour the hot tea over it (this is an instant method if you want to drink it right away). Divide the orange juice between the glasses and add sugar to taste. Stir in a few mint leaves and serve.
3. If you are going to be drinking it at a later time, refrigerate until ready to serve.