Looking for a summer drink? Try this refreshing and subtly spiced orange iced tea. Made with fresh orange juice, mint, spices and black tea.
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Orange iced tea is a refreshing and revitalising drink that keeps you cool and hydrated on hot summer days.
This chilled drink is a great alternative to plain water, a win-win formula to keep up with daily water requirements and enjoy the various fantastic flavours.
Nothing could be as simple to make as this fruity iced tea. With just a few basic ingredients, you are good to go. The only part that takes a bit of time is letting the tea cool, but it's all worth the wait.
The fabulously refreshing iced tea not only quenches the thirst right away but also leaves you feeling calm and relaxed.
Ingredients
- Orange: You will need freshly squeezed orange juice and a few segments
- Spices and Herbs: Black peppercorn, fennel seeds and sprig of fresh mint leaves.
- Tea: Black tea powder to make spiced black tea.
- Sweetener: I used brown sugar, but you can use any other sweetener you have on hand.
- Liquid: Filtered water to prepare black tea.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Place black peppercorn and fennel seeds in a mortar and grind them using a pestle.
Step 2: Set it aside to use later.
Step 3: Bring a cup of water to boil in a sauce pan.
Step 4: Add mint leaves, stalk, ground spice mixture and continue to boil.
Step 5: Add black tea, brown sugar and boil for 2-3 minutes.
Step 6: Switch the heat off and strain the tea into a glass or a container.
Step 7: Let it cool completely and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes.
Step 8: Meanwhile, squeeze the orange juice into a bowl and set it aside to use later.
Step 9: When ready to serve, add orange segments and mint leaves into a glass and muddle with muddler.
Step 10: Fill the glass with ice cubes.
Step 11: Pour orange juice and chilled tea over ice.
Step 12: Garnish it with a mint leaf.
Serve refreshing and delicious iced orange tea. Store leftover tea in the fridge and prepare iced tea when ready to serve.
Substitutions and Variations
Sweetener: Brown sugar could be replaced with maple syrup, honey or agave syrup.
Spices: Try different spices, such as cinnamon and fresh ginger, instead of black pepper and fennel seeds for subtle spice.
Fizzy: A splash of sparkling water or club soda just before serving adds a fizzy twist.
Tea Bags: You could use tea bags or loose-leaf tea instead of tea powder.
Storage
You can store brewed spiced black tea in the fridge for 3-4 days. Prepare iced tea whenever ready to serve with freshly squeezed orange juice, mint and stored black tea.
If you are planning to make a big batch for a party, make the spiced black tea, prep the oranges and squeeze out the juice from the fresh oranges one day ahead of time and store them separately in the fridge.
On the party day, fill the pitcher with plenty of ice cubes, add chilled black tea, muddled orange segments and mint leaves, orange juice, stir well and serve.
Tips and Tricks
Orange Juice: Use freshly squeezed orange juice, as it brings in natural sweetness and vibrant citrus flavour.
Chill Tea: Put tea in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to retain maximum flavour.
Hot Tea: Avoid pouring hot tea on ice as it melts the ice and creates a watery mess.
Mint: Use both mint leaves and stalks while brewing the tea. Stalks impart a strong flavour.
Related
Looking for other tea recipes? Try these:
More Orange Recipes
KEEP IN TOUCH
Do let me know if you try this Orange Iced Tea recipe. If you like this recipe kindly consider rating it using stars in the comment section or on the recipe card to help more people find this recipe online. You can stay up to date by following me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram or subscribing to my Youtube channel. Or why not subscribe to my blog and get simple recipes straight to your inbox?
📖 Recipe Card
Iced Orange Tea
Equipment
- 1 Spoon
- 1 Strainer
- 1 Glass
Ingredients
1 Cup = 250ml ; 1 Tablespoon = 15ml ; 1 Teaspoon = 5ml
For Tea
- 6-7 Black Peppercorn add/reduce based on your preferred spice levels
- ⅓ Teaspoon Fennel Seeds
- 1.5 Cups Water
- 1 Sprig Mint Leaves and Stalk wash
- 1.5 Teaspoons Tea Powder
- 2 Teaspoons Brown Sugar adjust based on your prefered sweetness
To Prepare 1 Cup Iced Tea
- ⅓ Cup Orange Juice squeeze from fresh oranges
- 4-5 Orange Segments peel and remove pith
- Mint Leaves to garnish
- ⅓ Cup Tea adjust based on how stong you need your iced tea
- 2-3 Ice Cubes add/reduce as per your preference
Instructions
- Place black peppercorn and fennel seeds in a mortar and grind them using a pestle.6-7 Black Peppercorn, ⅓ Teaspoon Fennel Seeds
- Set it aside to use later.
- Bring a cup of water to boil in a sauce pan.1.5 Cups Water
- Add mint leaves, stalk, ground spice mixture and continue to boil.1 Sprig Mint Leaves and Stalk
- Add black tea powder, brown sugar and boil for 5-7 minutes.1.5 Teaspoons Tea Powder, 2 Teaspoons Brown Sugar
- Switch the heat off and strain the tea into a glass or a container.
- Let it cool completely and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, squeeze the orange juice into a bowl and set it aside to use later.
- When ready to serve, add orange segments and mint leaves into a glass and muddle with muddler.4-5 Orange Segments, Mint Leaves
- Fill the glass with ice cubes.2-3 Ice Cubes
- Pour orange juice and chilled tea over ice.⅓ Cup Orange Juice, ⅓ Cup Tea
- Garnish it with a sprig of mint.
- Serve refreshing and delicious iced orange tea.
Notes
Nutrition
Welcome to Flavours Treat. I share vegetarian recipes made with wholesome, mostly fresh ingredients. Every recipe has easy-to-follow instructions with process shots (detailed step-wise pictures), a short video and lots of tips to help your cooking journey. Read more
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