Iced or Hot Tea Toddy
This winter I tossed together a few simple ingredients and found this mixture not only makes a great a hot toddy, but it also gives plain iced tea, hot tea or cocktails a boost. I call it my Serious Sitrus Mix.
With the weather getting quite warm, I’m already using this Serious Sitrus Mix in my iced black and green tea drinks, — especially refreshing after doing outdoor chores or yardwork.
If you’ve read any of my other recipes, you know I’m a fan of free-styling (meaning take the base recipe and alter it to your own personal taste). This is another easy free-style recipe. For example, if you love lemon, add more lemon. Want it less or more sweet? Then decrease or increase the honey. Maybe you want to turn it into your own special cocktail concoction by adding other ingredients…it’s all about you!
Free-Style SERIOUS SITRUS MIX:
In a small saucepan add:
1/3 cup of water
2 tablesp. honey
2 round orange slices with rind (approx. 1/8” thick)
The juice from 1 orange
2 round lemon slices with rind (approx. 1/8” thick)
1 tablesp. Fresh lemon juice
a dash of cinnamon
Optional: add some fresh lemon pulp or orange pulp while simmering.
Simmer the above ingredients on very low heat for a few minutes, stirring occasionally until the honey is melted and flavors are blended. Cool mixture and then pour into a container. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
SERVING IDEAS:
Add a tablespoon(or more) of the Serious Sitrus mixture to unsweetened hot or iced tea (goes well with black or green tea).
Add a teaspoon (or more) of the mixture to your favorite fruity cocktail.
Add a tablespoon or 2 to refreshing seltzer water.
For a cold spring, fall or winter night: Re-heat mixture and add a shot of brandy for a hot toddy.
Keep it Simple: Pairs well with mixed nuts and/or cheese and crackers.
Enjoy altering this base recipe to your own personal preference. Black tea and green teas are particularly healthy (hot or cold). Plus adding the Serious Sitrus mixture to any drink will add a punch of Vitamin C (and who doesn’t want that?).