Well-Seasoned Cookbook

flavorful recipes perfected over time

Balmaya Iced Tea

Where I used to work in Sierra Leone there was this lovely little cafe that served the best iced tea I have ever had. I would not say that this is a perfect copy cat of that recipe, but it is the closest I have been able to come so far in recreating that sensational, refreshing beverage.

Ingredients:

1 peach tea bag

1/2 cup boiling water

Sugar to taste

1 cup cold water

4 ice cubes

1 orange

1 lime

Mint leaves

Directions:

Steep 1 peach tea bag in 1/2 a cup boiling water to make a strong peach tea. Add sugar and mix until completely dissolved, then add the cold water. Place ice cubes in a tall glass and pour the tea over the ice.

Wash the orange and lime to ensure they are clean. Cut two round slices of the orange, squeezing the juice of the larger slice into the glass and placing the whole, smaller slice, into the glass as a garnish. Do the same with the lime, cutting two round slices and using one slice to squeeze juice into the tea and the other slice as a garnish you place in the glass.

Insert a straw into the glass and give the tea one last stir to blend in the citrus flavors. Add a sprig of mint and serve.