Tea-based beverages

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 28, 9 December 1986, Page 10

Tea-based beverages

If you're looking to add something different to your Christmas or New Year celebrations this year, why not try mixing some of your festive spirit with the cup that cheers? After all, tea goes just as well in the punchbowl or cocktail glass as it does in the teacup. The fact is that tea mixes well with a variety of other ingredients and makes an inexpensive base for a number of cold concoctions

that are welcome at any time during the summer. lced tea, forinstance, isan old favourite but have you ever tried it sweetened with spiced syrup or made double strength and topped up with ginger beer? Or how about a stinger punch with tea, whisky and fresh lemon juice? Rather than using a standard tea, try experimenting with the more specialised types such as Earl Grey, Jasmine, Darjeeling, Ceylon or Orange Pekoe. Contd p13

Contd. from pIO Each adds its own distinctive flavour. Other speciality teas such as blackcurrant — delicious with a dash of rum and sugar — are well worth trying. What's more, tea lends itself to a host of nonalcoholic punches and fruit f cups which should appeal to all members of the family — as well as to the Ministry of Transport. Try these recipes for I starters: Tea Fruit Punch Four measures double strength Ceylon Breakfast tea. 2 measures sweet sherry 1 measure fresh lemon juice I 2 measures rum '/2 measure lime juice cordial Sugar to taste Crushed ice or ice cubes Mix together the tea, sherry, lemon juice, rum and lime juice. Add the sugar before allowing to cool. Add ice and allow to stand until ice is almost melted, then stir well and strain into bowl. Float very thin slices of orange on top and top each with a small piece of maraschino cherry, or push a tiny sprig of mint into each slice. Iced Tea Make a quadruple strength brew and strain direct into an equal quantity of cold water. Put one i desertspoonful fresh lemon | juice into each glass, half fill r with ice cubes and top up with the tea. Sweeten with sugar syrup (made by pouring a little hot water onto the required amount of sugar) and garnish with mint or lemon. *lced tea is especially refreshing when made with one of the "green" teas, such as Green Gunpowder or Jasmine.