FavorCakes by Erica: beverages

This week I was feeling a bit neighborly so I decided to make Spiced Tropical Tea Coolers to share with my next door neighbors. The recipe is from an old Pampered Chef cookbook I had lying around. It's easy to make and a nice alternative to ice tea on a hot Summer day.

I typed up the recipe and glued it inside of a colorful notecard so my neighbors can make their own tea if they so wish. And forget the fancy cups, I personally like to drink my tea out of a jar style glass full of ice.

I also picked up a couple of plastic green pitchers from my local Wal-Mart for around $2 each. They're cute and cheap and I don't have to hound my neighbors about returning my dishes, ha ha ha :-) The final touch was a cupful of ice and some orange slices and it's ready to go.

Here is the recipe below if you'd like to try it for yourself. Enjoy!

Spiced tropical tea cooler

· 6 cups water, divided

· 6 tea bags flavored with orange and spice

· 1 large fresh mint sprig

· 1 can (12 ounces)

· 1/4 cup sugar

· Ice cubes

· Orange and additional fresh mint (optional)

1. Bring 4 cups of the water to a boil. Place tea bags and mint in bowl; carefully add boiling water. Let steep 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and mint.

2. Place remaining 2 cups water, juice concentrate and sugar in a pitcher. Add hot tea; plunge until well mixed. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.

3. To serve, pour tea mixture into ice-filled glasses. Score orange using zester; cut into thin slices. Garnish iced tea with orange slices and mint, if desired.

FavorCakes by Erica