Botswanan Iced Tea
Wow, it’s been a strange year for weather. But I wasn’t about to complain when it topped 50 in Wisconsin this week. It almost felt like spring. Time for a warm weather beverage–Botswanan Iced Tea!
Botswanan Iced Tea
I got my first taste of Botswanan Iced Tea at book club this month. Our hostess had just returned from a trip to Africa where she liked this so much she asked for the recipe. Isn’t it great to have friends who are well traveled!
Normally our book club meets at night and we drink wine. But because our meeting fell on Valentine’s Day, we got together in the afternoon. That way we got both wine AND Iced tea—how perfect!
Botwanan Iced Tea on Tray
This Botswanan iced tea contains Rooibos, a classic South African tea that is actually red in color. Black tea, lemon, sugar and (non-alcoholic) ginger beer round out the mix. It was so good we each had two glasses (and wine!)!
I am a serious four seasons lover, but winter is just a little bit longer than I like. So in late February or March, when winter is feeling old, I always remind myself that summer is just around the corner.
Botswanan Iced Tea, Served
Now I also have a new iced tea to look forward to!
Botswanan Iced Tea chillin’ on the last of the snow.
- 2 Tablespoons Rooibos Tea
- 2 Tablespoons black tea (I used Darjeeling)
- 1 quart boiling water
- ¼ cup sugar or to taste (I decided to use ¼ cup and allow people to increase to taste)
- 2 cups cold water
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 12 ounce non-alcoholic ginger beer (or alcoholic if you prefer 😉 )
- Steep tea in boiling water for 15 minutes. Strain, add sugar and stir to dissolve. Chill until cool.
- Add remaining 2 cups water, lemon juice, and ginger beer.
- Serve, adjusting sweetness to taste.
- If you don't have a teapot, you can steep your tea in a saucepan. Just boil water in the saucepan, remove from heat, add tea and cover.
We did not try the Botswanan iced tea when traveling in the area…yes, we got acquainted with Rooibos tea, and we love it!
Thanks for the recipe as I sure will try…when gets warmer…
Have a great week ahead Inger 🙂
I am happy to be discovering more variety in iced teas, though I don’t drink them much in winter either. But I love that it makes summer so much healthier than soft drinks!
i really like the addition of ginger beer–that’s some powerful stuff! what an interesting and refreshing beverage. 🙂
The ginger beer added great flavor Grace. Guess I need to stock it now 😉
Our weather has been spring-like this weekend too, and I love it! I know we’ll have lots more winter, but a few days of spring makes it easier to live through.
I completely agree Beth! We eventually hit 70 and it makes me feel spring is on the way!