The Graceful Dame Print

Fresh Mint Meadow Tea

A tall glass of Fresh Mint Meadow tea with a small bunch of mint sitting beside it.

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Light, crisp, ice cold, sweet, and thirst quenching. Fresh mint meadow tea is always the perfect beverage to serve up on a hot summer day.

Ingredients

Scale

2 c. Fresh Mint Tea Leaves and Stems

3-4 c. Water

1 c. Sugar (Or equivalent sweetener of choice. I've used agave as well as Swerve sweetener successfully in this, too.)

1/2 - 1/3 Gallon of Ice

Instructions

  1. To begin, trim off any undesirable leaves, seed heads, or hard, woody, dried-out stems.
  2. Place the mint in a strainer and rinse with cool water. A Callander containing fresh, colorful mint tea leaves and stems that have been freshly washed.
  3. Next, transfer the mint to a medium 1–2-quart saucepan and add 3-4 c. water. Gently, press the leaves into the water to submerge them as much as possible.
  4. Place the saucepan on stovetop. Cover and begin to heat on medium - high heat.
  5. When the water has come to a full boil, turn off the burner and remove the saucepan from heat. Allow to cool, covered, for an hour. A saucepan with fresh mint tea concentrate that is cooling.
  6. Next, using a slotted spoon, scoop out the processed mint leaves and stems.
  7. Add 1 c. Sugar or equivalent sweetener of your choice to the pot and stir until fully dissolved.
  8. Now, if there are a lot of small particles floating around that are left over from the leaves and stems, pour the liquid through a mesh strainer. However, if it looks good to you, just move on to the next step.  A saucepan containing fresh made tea concentrate with tea leaves removed.
  9. Fill a 1-gallon pitcher 1/2 - 2/3 full of ice. Pour the fresh mint meadow tea over the ice and stir. This will rapidly cool the tea.
  10. Last of all, fill the gallon pitcher the rest of the way with cold water and give the tea a final stir. A glass of mint tea stands in the foreground with a pitcher full of ice cold fresh mint meadow tea in the background.

Now, pour yourself a tall glass, find yourself a cozy spot on your porch swing, and sip slowly. Or take that pitcher to the back patio and share along side some burgers and watermelon with friends and family! How ever you drink this, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Notes

Serving Suggestions

    • Iced Mint Meadow Tea: Once the Fresh Mint Meadow Tea has been prepared, serve it over ice for a refreshing and cooling drink, perfect for hot summer days. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint for an extra touch of elegance. Add some fresh berries or cucumber slices for a visually appealing and hydrating beverage.

    • Mint Iced Tea Lemonade: For a delightful twist, mix the Fresh Mint Meadow Tea with freshly squeezed lemon juice and a touch of honey or your preferred sweetener. Serve over ice with lemon slices for a delicious Mint Iced Tea Lemonade.

    • Minty Mojito Mocktail: Turn the Fresh Mint Meadow Tea into a non-alcoholic mojito mocktail by adding a splash of lime juice and some muddled fresh mint leaves. Top it off with soda water or sparkling water and garnish with a mint sprig and lime wedge.

    • Mint Tea Popsicles: Pour the Fresh Mint Meadow Tea into popsicle molds and freeze to make refreshing mint tea popsicles. A perfect treat for both kids and adults during the hot summer months.

    • Mint Tea Sorbet: Use the Fresh Mint Meadow Tea as a base for a delightful mint tea sorbet. Churn the tea in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions and enjoy a refreshing and light dessert.

Feel free to get creative with these serving suggestions and enjoy the Fresh Mint Meadow Tea in various ways to suit your taste and occasion. Cheers to a minty-fresh and delightful experience!

Storage and Freezing Tips

    • Refrigeration: After serving the Fresh Mint Meadow Tea, refrigerate the tea to maintain its freshness and flavor. It can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week.

    • Freezing: To freeze, follow the directions for boiling and steeping the tea. Once the tea leaves and stems have been removed, allow the mixture to cool to about room temperature. Then, carefully pour the tea concentrate into a quart size, freezer safe container. This can be stored in the freezer for at least 6-9 months and still taste as fresh as a summer day in a glass. When you are ready to use, remove from the freezer and allow to thaw for 30 minutes or so. Turn the container upside down and let it fall into a 1-gallon pitcher. Fill with water and wait until the concentrate has mostly melted before serving.

By following these storage and freezing tips, you can enjoy the delightful taste of Fresh Mint Meadow Tea long after it has been