This drink, is so much more than the name. Apple Cider Iced Tea doesn’t really do it justice, but sometimes, I just don’t know what to call the things I concoct. Such as it is here.
I found inspo for this while paging through a recipe book – a spiced tea recipe – something akin to mulled wine, but for the non-drinkers. It stuck in the back of my mind and after a trip to the cider mill this past weekend, thought that putting the two together in what is a fall twist on an Arnold Palmer is the perfect something to get us through these fall days. You know, the days that start out in the low 40s only to end up near 80. We’re in fall, but we’re not in the thick of it yet. This drink will transition you from the sort of cozy to full on fireplace weather.
It starts with two simple tea bags. British breakfast, to be specific. My personal favorite. They are brewed on the stove top with some brown sugar, star anise, cloves, black cardamom and cinnamon just for a few minutes. Tea bags removed, the rest is left to steep a bit in the fridge. Once cooled, it’s finished off with some vanilla extract and then mixed in with some of the season’s best apple cider.
I opted to pour this over ice since we’re still in the cold beverage mood over here. However, in a few weeks I could see this being a pleasant way to warm up from the inside. Perhaps with a splash of bourbon? Food for thought.
Even with the cider, I didn’t’ find this drink overly sweet. If you don’t love apple cider, the tea itself would be great as just a fall iced tea to break from the sweet tea of summer.
Apple Cider Iced Tea
Apple cider iced tea is the perfect drink for fall, flavored with rich spices such as anise, cardamom, cloves and vanilla.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 3 British breakfast tea bags
- 3 TB brown sugar
- 4 black cardamom pods
- 6 cloves
- 1 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups apple cider
- ice, to serve (if enjoying cold)
Directions
- Step 1 In a small saucepan, add the tea, sugar, water, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon and star anise. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and let simmer about 10 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes.
- Step 2 Remove the tea bags, add the vanilla and let the rest of the tea mixture cool completely.
- Step 3 When ready to serve, pour 1/2 cup to 1/2 cup of cider into each glass over ice. Top with about 1/2 -3/4 cup tea, to taste. Enjoy!
- Step 4 This may be enjoyed hot as well!
