The oranges stewing in the Tropical Tanager Tea, taken by Allspice Photography, LLC.
Cutting up fruit for the tea, taken by Allspice Photography, LLC.
A Multicolored Tanager Chicoral bird from Colombia, photo credit to: Mateo Gable
This Tropical Tanager Tea recipe is named after the Multi-colored Tanager, a species of bird native to the mountains of Colombia. I thought it was a great muse to name this tea after! This recipe is an homage to one of Colombia’s prettiest species, as the ingredients I chose to add to this tropical tea recipe match the bird’s vibrant colors.
Tropical Tanager Tea
Ingredients
- 4 Black Iced Tea Bags Family sized. We like the Luzianne brand but Lipton works well too.
- 3 quart Water Boiled
- 1 cup Sweet Greens V8 juice No sugar added. Could also use any equivalent amount of juice of choice.
- 1 Orange Washed and sliced into wedges
- ¾ cup Pineapple juice
- ¾ cup Naranjilla puree Could also use mango nectar, papaya, etc. Something fun and tropical!
- ½ cup Sugar, to taste
Instructions
- Start by boiling 3 quarts of water in a tea kettle or on the stove.
- In a large, heat proof bowl, add the four iced tea bags and pour the hot water over the bags, stirring and allowing to steep for about 5 minutes (you could let it steep for 2-3 minutes longer if you like stronger tea). Remove the tea bags and throw away.
- Next, add the naranjilla puree, two juices, and sugar while the tea is hot to make sure they dissolve fully, sweetening to taste if it needs more sugar.
- Above a glass or plastic pitcher, place a fine mesh strainer and pour the fruity tea mixture through it to catch any tea leaves or bits that are unnecessary. Wash and cut up an orange into wedges and place in the pitcher with the strained tea, refrigerating up to 1 hour before serving over ice.
Notes
- For this recipe, we used one of the amazing fruit purees from our friends at Wislla Distribution, the Naranjilla (a Colombian citrus) fruit. However, you could sub that out with orange juice, mango nectar, or another mixed fruit juice of choice!
- This drink goes well with a dash of rum, too (for my adult 21+ drinkers)!
- Lasts up to one week in the fridge in a covered pitcher.
