Spiced Iced Tea

Masala Chai, or Indian spiced tea, is commonly enjoyed hot with milk in India, but this chilled version is quite refreshing on a hot day. Serves 4.

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups water
2 tsp orange pekoe tea leaves OR 1 teabag
4 cloves
1 inch cinnamon stick
Pinch ground cardamom*
Crushed ice
Fresh lemon or lime juice
Sugar to taste

Place the tea, cloves, cinnamon stick, cardamom and sugar to taste in a teapot. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil, then pour the boiling water and steep, covered, for up to 5 minutes. Stir well, strain, and combine with the remaining water. Allow to cool. Fill 4 tall glasses with crushed ice and lemon or lime juice to taste, then pour in the cooled tea mixture and stir.

*Note: For authentic flavor, use freshly crushed cardamom seeds: Remove the seeds from 4 green cardamoms (discard the pods and membranes), then crush the seeds with a mortar & pestle.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria
Carolina Sauce Company