Cinnamon & Spice Refrigerator Iced Tea

GOOD EARTH TEA GIVEAWAY
Ended Tuesday June 14, 3 pm CST

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This is an accidental recipe that has turned out to my favorite iced tea. An accident because I was making myself use up a potpourri of assorted teas that had accumulated in my cupboard before I bought any more. It was ridiculous how many half full containers & boxes I had. I was randomly combining some of the flavors when I hit upon this one. I served it to my family when they were home recently, and they all wanted to know how to make it. So a new recipe is born. Accidentally. And this one is so easy, it's almost embarrassing.

The main ingredient is this tea: Good Earth's Original Sweet and Spicy Herbal Tea. My friend, Sheri (of The Loopy Ewe) introduced me to this tea years ago. I've frequently drunk it hot after dinner to satisfy my sweet tooth. It is naturally sweet from a combination of herbs, fruits, cinnamon, and other sweet spices without any sugar or artificial sweeteners. It's delicious hot; but it had never occured to me to try it cold. Now I always have a jar of it in the fridge. It's getting me through our crazy hot & steamy St. Louis summer.

UPDATE 5/25/2012. The Good Earth tea used in this recipe has a new, updated box. Here's what it looks like now:

Good Earth Sweet & Spicy Herbal Tea is widely available in grocery stores. It can also be purchased online here.

Cinnamon is the dominant flavor, but the other all-natural ingredients combine to make it extraordinarily flavorful. I've never tasted another tea quite like it.

I "accidentally" combined Good Earth tea with regular Lipton tea when I was cleaning out my tea cupboard. Turns out I love the combo. It tastes like real tea to me (not too "herbally"), but with a delicious sweet flavor burst. I use half Good Earth Tea and half Lipton tea in this iced tea recipe.

It's good and good for you!

The Good Earth tea is loaded with healthy antioxidants. The black tea provides additional nutrition. Drinking black tea regularly has numerous health benefits. It's believed to help prevent heart attacks and strokes, along with breast, prostate and stomach cancer.  More information about the health benefits of drinking tea here.

Did I mention that this yummy, naturally sweet tea has zero calories? ZERO.

Ingredients & Supplies for 2 quarts of Cinnamon Spiced Iced Tea:

• 4 Good Earth tea bags (Original Sweet & Spicy Herbal Tea);
  see updated photo of box above
• 4 regular black tea bags (Lipton, Luzianne, or other unflavored black tea)
• 8 cups (2 quarts) tap/room temperature water
• 2 quart jar (available online here) or pitcher 

Note: Quanties may be adjusted for whatever amount you want to make. Use 1 tea bag for each cup of water.

Easy Refrigerator Method for Steeping Tea

You can read my previous post, How to Make Refrigerator Iced Tea, for more details about how much easier and healthier it is to use this method. Better than sun tea or the boiled water method. Fridge iced tea is smooth without bitterness. It's the only way I make iced tea anymore. Here's how.

Step 1. Hang the tea bags inside pitcher or jar with the strings hanging over the rim (for easy removal later).

Step 2. Add water, making sure that the tea is immersed.

Step 3. Cover and put in fridge for 6-12 hours. (It's ready in 6 hours, but you can leave the tea bags in the water for up to 12 hours.)

Done. I told you it was easy! Remove the tea bags and store in fridge or serve.

Pour yourself a glass. Enjoy what just might be the most refreshing iced tea you've ever tasted. It's my hands-down favorite. That's for sure!

If you'd like to create some flavored teas of your own, check out my post with Flavored Ice Tea Recipes. I explain how to use jams/preserves, fruit juices, spices and natural flavors to create an endless number of tea flavors and combinations.

Click to view Flavored Iced Tea Recipes

But for something that's as easy and delicious as it gets, make yourself some of this Cinnamon Spiced Iced Tea. It's hard to beat! 

Make it a yummy day!

Cinnamon & Spice Refrigerator Iced Tea

By Monica              Servings: 8 1-cup servings

Ingredients

• 4 Good Earth* tea bags - Original Sweet & Spicy Herbal Tea
• 4 regular black tea bags (like Lipton, Luzianne, or other unflavored black tea)
• 8 cups tap or room temperature water

Directions

Use a 2-quart Mason jar or pitcher.
Hang the tea bags inside pitcher or jar with the strings hanging over the rim (for easy removal later). Add water, making sure that the tea is immersed. Cover and put in fridge for 6-12 hours. Remove tea bags and store in fridge or serve.

MAKE ANY QUANTITY YOU LIKE. Use a ratio of 1 tea bag to 1 cup of water.

*Good Earth Sweet & Spicy Herbal Tea is widely available in grocery stores. It can be purchased online at Amazon.com and GoodEarthTeas.com.