Restaurants›City Farmhouse Kitchen & Bar›Tea Forte Recipe

Tea Forte Recipe

Inspired by City Farmhouse Kitchen & Bar
Time20m
Serves4

herbal and flavored

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Ingredients

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Tea Base

Aromatics & Flavor Additions

Optional Finishers

Method

Brew

1

Bring water to near boiling

Pour 4 cups filtered water into a kettle or saucepan and heat until it reaches a gentle rolling boil. For delicate herbal teas (chamomile, green-based blends) remove from heat just before full boil (around 190–200°F / 88–93°C).

2

Prepare steeping vessel

Place 4 tea bags into a heatproof teapot or large heatproof pitcher. If you are combining stronger-flavored herbal bags (hibiscus, rooibos), consider using 3 bags instead of 4 for a balanced cup.

3

Add aromatics for infusion

Add the sliced ginger and cinnamon stick to the teapot/pitcher with the tea bags. These will infuse with the tea as it steeps and add depth to herbal blends.

4

Pour and steep

Pour the hot water over the tea bags and aromatics. Cover and steep for 5–8 minutes for a robust herbal infusion. For a lighter, more floral cup, steep 3–5 minutes. Taste at 3-minute intervals to reach your preferred strength.

Finish & Sweeten

5

Remove solids

After steeping, remove tea bags, ginger slices and cinnamon stick using a slotted spoon or by lifting out the bags. Gently press each tea bag against the side of the pot to extract extra liquid if desired.

6

Sweeten and flavor

Stir in 2 tsp honey or agave syrup while the tea is still warm so it dissolves easily. Add 1 tsp vanilla extract if using for a mellow, rounded finish. Taste and adjust sweetness in 1/2 tsp increments.

7

Citrus and herbs

Add the fresh lemon slices and 8 mint leaves to the brewed tea. Lightly bruise the mint leaves between your fingers before adding to release their aroma. Optionally stir in 1 tsp lemon zest for extra brightness.

Serve

8

Hot service

Ladle or pour the tea into mugs. Garnish each cup with a lemon slice and a sprig of mint if desired. Serve immediately while hot.

9

Iced service (optional)

To serve iced, allow the brewed tea to cool slightly (10–15 minutes), then transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate until cold or pour over a glass filled with 2 cups ice. Stir gently, then garnish with lemon and mint. For stronger iced tea, brew with an extra tea bag or steep an additional 2 minutes before cooling.