Apple Cider Tea

A soft sun on a Saturday afternoon and a calm mellow child...hmmm, sheer contentment! Hot drinks were in order after a round of Lord of the Rings, Return of the King. I'm not certain of the association, if any, but it inspired my son to request, 'something yummy, something hot, something apple-y and something drink-y. '

So the search began! I found a couple of recipes for apple tea, and opted to combine the best of both. For a moment, I thought I would need a 'special' apple tea blend. Nah! Apple juice and tea bags! Sweet!

It would not surprise me if there was another recipe like this floating about in the blogosphere or on the internet. If so, it was never my intent to 'steal' any one's recipe....

Easy to prepare and simple enough for enthusiastic little hands! Simmering the concoction for 10 minutes, left a mesmerizing and inviting scent!

An absolute must try!

Enjoy!

Apple Cider Tea

4 cups apple juice, unsweetened

2 cups water

4-5 inches of whole cinnamon (sticks)

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

4 bags black tea

1 bag orange spice tea

honey

sliced apples, to garnish, optional

Place all ingredients into a medium pot

Bring to a gentle boil

Reduce heat
Cover and simmer for 10 minutes

Remove bags and cinnamon sticks

Sweeten with honey

Garnish with thin apple slices or pieces, optional

* Lovely infusion of flavors

* Decaffeinated black tea can be used interchangeably

* Next time, I think I will place the ground allspice in a piece of cheese cloth, as it created a bit of unappealing sediment, or use whole allspice

* I'm not pitching products, but Bigelow Orange Spice tea is an easily obtainable tea with strong bold flavors which works well in this drink

Also, Simply Apple apple juice is a full bodied unsweetened juice that I prefer and used, as well.