Passion Fruit Iced Tea

Here are two delicious and refreshing recipes for Passion Fruit Iced Tea:

Option 1: Simple and Sweet

This version uses readily available ingredients and offers a classic sweet and tangy flavor combination.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups water
• 2-3 black tea bags (or 2 tablespoons loose leaf black tea)
• ½ cup sugar (or adjust to your preference)
• 1 cup fresh passion fruit pulp (from 4-5 passion fruits)
• ½ cup lime juice (freshly squeezed for best flavor)
• Mint leaves (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Brew the Tea: Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and add the tea bags or loose leaf tea. Steep for 5-7 minutes, depending on desired strength.
2. Sweeten and Strain: Strain the hot tea into a pitcher, discarding the tea bags or leaves. Stir in the sugar until it dissolves completely.
3. Add Passion Fruit and Lime: While the tea cools slightly, cut the passion fruits in half and scoop out the pulp. Strain the pulp through a fine-mesh sieve into the pitcher to remove the seeds. Add the lime juice.
4. Chill and Serve: Let the tea cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until chilled.
5. Garnish and Enjoy: Pour the iced tea into glasses filled with ice. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and serve.

Option 2: Green Tea with Honey and Thyme

This option uses green tea for a slightly more subtle and grassy flavor, complemented by honey and thyme for a unique twist.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups water
• 6 teaspoons loose leaf green tea (or 6 tea bags)
• ¼ cup to ⅓ cup honey (or adjust to your preference)
• ½ cup fresh passion fruit pulp (from 4-5 passion fruits)
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (freshly squeezed for best flavor)
• Fresh thyme sprigs (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Brew the Tea: Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and add the green tea. Steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on desired strength. Strain the tea into a pitcher.
2. Add Remaining Water and Honey: Add the remaining 5 cups of cold water to the pitcher with the brewed tea. Stir in the honey until dissolved.
3. Passion Fruit and Lemon: Prepare the passion fruit pulp and strain it into the pitcher, discarding the seeds. Add the lemon juice.
4. Chill and Serve: Let the tea cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until chilled.
5. Garnish and Enjoy: Pour the iced tea into glasses filled with ice. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs and serve.

Tips:

• You can adjust the amount of sugar or honey to your desired level of sweetness.
• For a stronger passion fruit flavor, use more pulp or add a splash of store-bought passion fruit juice.
• Feel free to experiment with other herbs like mint or basil as a garnish.
• Leftover iced tea can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Enjoy these delicious homemade Passion Fruit Iced Teas for a refreshing summer drink!