San Diego did a very un-San-Diego-like thing recently. It rained.
All weekend.
Not that I’m complaining! After spending 20+ winters in the Northeast and knowing how serious the Southern Californian drought is, a rainy weekend is a) a walk in the park for many of you facing a brutal winter and b) welcome relief from the all the dusty dryness we’ve been dealing with. Plus I got to wear my pink and white floral rain boots, which haven’t seen much action since moving west. 🙂
Whoever was doing the rain dance this past weekend really must have been busting some moves (the sprinkler, maybe?) because geez, did it come down.
I had the best of intentions to enjoy this fruity and refreshing orange iced tea sitting out on the patio and soaking in some sunshine, but that would have been super obnoxious for anyone dealing with a true winter, so Mother Nature put the kibosh on that real quick. Probably for the better, because now I can vouch for the day-brightening effects this iced tea has.
For one, it’s incredibly easy. The part I struggled with the most was searching high and low in my kitchen for an ice cube tray. I came up empty handed, but using a mini muffin pan worked just fine. Just make sure it’ll fit in your freezer!
Once you’ve located your preferred ice-cube-making vessel, it’s a matter of brewing some tea, juicing a blood orange, chopping some basil, and sprinkling some sugar. I tend to shy away from drinks that are too sweet (the thought of drinking sweet tea – next week on our vacation – makes me a little nervous), so feel free to omit or be heavy-handed with the sugar in accordance with your taste.
As the ice cubes melt, the blood orange juice cuts the iced black tea with a warm, citrus-y flavor and a gradual sweetness from the sugar. The basil pieces eventually break free from the cubes and swirl around the glass, adding just a slight herb-y tang that plays nice with the bold tea and blood orange flavor.
Basically, whether your winter blahs come from feet of snow or small bits of rain, this tea has got you covered.
- 4 black tea bags
- 4 cups boiling water
- 1/2 cup freshly-squeezed blood orange juice (approx. juice from one orange)
- 3-4 fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp granulated sugar, to taste
- Boil four cups of water and pour over tea bags in a heatproof pitcher. Once tea has cooled off some, place pitcher in refrigerator to chill.
- In a ice cube tray (or mini muffin pan), fill spaces with blood orange juice. Add a few pieces of basil to each cube, then sprinkle granulated sugar over top of each cube. Freeze cubes for a few hours.
- Once tea is chilled and cubes are frozen, pour over ice cubes to serve.
Carmela says
Sounds yummy! I have squeezed over a dozen blood oranges in a pitcher and want to try this. I’ve never made ice tea from scratch before lol! I have to ask, how many frozen cubes of the blood orange juice are added to a glass of tea for the perfect taste?! Can all the juice just be added at once to the 4 cups of tea and chilled in the fridge?
Thanks so much!
Alyssa says
Hi Carmela! I added about 3 frozen cubes of blood orange juice to each glass. Of course, you can sip it as you go along and add more if you like! Also yes, you can definitely add the juice itself to the black tea and enjoy that way. That definitely is simpler. I’d brew the tea and stick it in the fridge to cool some before adding the blood orange juice and stirring to combine. That way the citrus flavor is still bright and doesn’t get muted. I hope that helps!
Ashley says
I love iced tea and the flavors here are so different than the plain version I usually go with! Nice and refreshing : )
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
Oh, this is just beautiful – definitely what I need to cure these Ohio winter blahs! So simple, but so many lovely flavors all playing happily together in one gorgeous drink! Love it! 😀
Ashley @ My Midwest Table says
Oooooh, this tea sounds delish! I’m not a fan of super sweet drinks either, but I love citrusy drinks. I bet the blood orange + basil combo is a good one.
And, ummmmmm. YEAH for vacay! 🙂
Alyssa says
I think you’d love this iced tea, Ashley! Citrus-y, not-too-sweet drinks are exactly my speed. Trying to order a cocktail when I’m out is always super difficult. Preferred sweetness is such a relative thing, and trying to convey my preferences while yelling over music and background noise is so tough! I usually avoid that and just order a beer.
And vacation…woot woot! I’m in pre-vacation stress mode of tying up loose ends at work, packing, LAUNDRY, etc., but I cannot wait to relax soon enough!
Christine @ Cooking with Cakes says
yum Alyssa this looks so refreshing!! the perfect drink to get ready for spring 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks! It definitely had me thinking of spring. 🙂
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
WHAT? It RAINED in San Diego!? I didn’t think that was allowed! 😉
Alyssa says
I know! Three days in a row, too. People didn’t leave the house!
Jess says
This is delicious! I love blood oranges, so much more colourful and I think they have a nicer flavour! Definitely need to give this a go! 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks Jess! Blood oranges are very new-to-me, but I love them! The colors are so rich and vibrant. 🙂
Deb says
Fresh orange juice is so refreshing! Paired with basil and tea is just the radiant flavors we are craving at the end of winter!
Alyssa says
Thanks Deb – this is perfect for (almost) spring!
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
I haven’t had iced-tea for months and now I’m craving it so badly ahhhh. This looks fantastic! xx
Alyssa says
Thanks, Consuelo!
Lynette says
Love love love this tea! Light and refreshing!
Alyssa says
Thanks! It’s definitely light and refreshing. 🙂