Cinnamon Orange Cold Brew Tea

A tasty sweet and citrus beverage combination that is guaranteed to cool you down on a sweltering hot summer's day. It's so good that you don't even have to wait until the summer to enjoy it. Let's face it cold tea, iced or otherwise is a true game changer and I'm officially jumping on the band wagon.

This drink recipe is made using only 7 ingredients as well as your patience. Trust me whether it's spring or summer time or perhaps you just have a craving for some cool tea.

No worries this spice and tangy infused beverage is what you need in your life. What is cold brew tea? Cold tea or cold brew(ed) tea is a practice that derives from Japan.

The tea is steeped in cold or room temperature water rather than being heat dependent to release the flavours. The whole concept behind this is to the allow the flavours to release gradually via time and not from brewing using hot water which is thought to destroy the natural properties.

This type of tea can be consumed any time of the year although it is more seasonally popular throughout the summertime. Any type of tea bag can be used (Oolong, rooibus, white, black, peppermint, green or chamomile tea) and is served in a glass.

It can also be sweetened though this may vary for each individual.

Ingredients you will need

• Tea: loose or teabags although the former is the preferred choice. I love to use red bush (rooibus) tea for the foundation of my drink.
• Orange Juice and peel: Use both the peel and the juice to up the flavour. I used the peel of two oranges along with the juice which really enhanced the flavour.
• Spices: Cloves and cinnamon for warming flavour.
• Water: Filtered is better quality and overall taste, use that if you can but it's optional.
• Sweetener: Any liquid sweetener (excluding granulated) will work

Loose vs tea bags

Loose tea has alway been seen as being more superior because the loose leafs aren't contained in a brewing bag.

When water is poured onto the leaves they in turn move about more freely and expand in the water when infusing. This in turn results in the vitamin/minerals, flavour and aroma being extracted a lot better.

On the other contrary, tea bags tend to be made with low grade ingredients - dust and fanning and the bag makes brewing far more limited. With that being said, it is a matter of preference in respect to what you use to make your tea

The amount of loose tea or tea bags

Using the cold method means you can quite easily get away with using teabags without having to worry about the release of tannins and caffeine. One thing to note with cold brewing is that the flavour isn't as strong.

As a general rule of thumb, cold brewing uses more teabags i.e 6 cups of water to 10 tea bags but because this is a Cinnamon Orange Cold Brew Tea. In order for both flavours to impart equally, a balance of teabags with spice/fruit will remedy this problem.

If you are using loose tea then 2-4 teaspoon should be more than suffice

How to make tea using the cold method

• Pour cold water into a large glass pitcher.
• Once the tea is ready, strain if off
• Add the orange juice and sweeten to taste.

How long can you leave the tea refrigerated for? You can leave the tea refrigerated for 4-5 days.

No longer than that as the quality of the tea will begin to diminish. Can you brew the tea for longer than 12 hours?

Yes, some people allow the tea to steep for 12-24 hours at a time.

Note and tips

• If you are using loose tea feel free to use an infuser or tea filter.
• Add more teabags if you want a STRONGER tasting tea.
• Keep in mind that ice cubes will dilute the taste so adjust the taste/tea if needed
• Use faux ice cubes if you want that extra chilled beverage without compromising the taste.
• Use a vegetable peeler to remove the orange peel and make sure the pith isn't attached to it. Some boiling water helps to shift it with a knife to scrape it off.
• For a more IN DEPTH flavour DO NOT strain just use a filter jug.
• This pitcher serves around 6-8 glasses depending on the size of the glass you use.
• Add more fruit if you wish, lime, lemon, apple strawberry the list is endless.