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Tea Recipe

Name: Mediterranean Imports, Deli & Gastro Goods Tea Recipe
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 cups Water; 4 tbs Black tea bags (or loose-leaf equivalent); 2 tbs Granulated sugar; 1 tbs Honey; 2 tbs Simple syrup (for iced tea alternative); 1 to taste Lemon slices or wedge; 6 pieces Mint leaves; 3 pieces Fresh ginger slices; 1 cups Milk (dairy or plant); 1 tsp Vanilla extract (optional); 2 cups Ice cubes

Inspired by Mediterranean Imports, Deli & Gastro Goods

Time15m

Serves4

Iced or Hot

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Ingredients

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Tea Base

4 cups Water

4 tbs Black tea bags (or loose-leaf equivalent)

Sweetener (optional)

2 tbs granulated sugar

1 tbs Honey

2 tbs Simple syrup (for iced tea alternative)

Citrus & Aromatics (optional)

1 to taste Lemon slices or wedge

6 pieces Mint leaves

3 pieces Fresh ginger slices

Milk & Add-ins (for hot milk tea)

1 cups Milk (dairy or plant)

1 tsp Vanilla extract (optional)

Ice (for iced tea)

2 cups Ice cubes

Method

Hot Tea

Boil water

Bring 4 cups of fresh water to a rolling boil in a kettle or pot.

Steep tea

Place 4 tea bags (or an equivalent of 4 tablespoons loose-leaf in an infuser) into a teapot or heatproof container. Pour the boiling water over the tea. Steep for 3–5 minutes depending on desired strength (3 minutes for lighter, 5 minutes for robust).

Add aromatics (optional)

If using, add fresh ginger slices to steep with the tea for a spicier profile, or add 2–3 mint leaves for a subtle cooling note. Steep together with tea for the full steep time.

Sweeten (optional)

Stir in granulated sugar (about 2 tbsp) or honey (about 1 tbsp) while tea is hot so it dissolves. Taste and adjust to preference.

Finish with milk (optional)

If making milk tea, warm 1 cup milk separately, then add to the steeped tea (or add a splash to each cup). Stir in 1 tsp vanilla if using. Serve immediately.

Serve

Remove tea bags or infuser. Pour into cups and garnish with a lemon wedge or mint sprig if desired.

Iced Tea (from hot-brewed method)

Double-strength brew

To account for dilution from ice, brew a double-strength batch: use the same 4 cups water and 4 tea bags but steep 4 minutes for a stronger concentrate, or use 5–6 tea bags if you prefer. Follow the same boiling and steeping steps as Hot Tea.

Sweeten

If sweetening, stir in simple syrup (about 2 tbsp) while the tea is still warm so it incorporates evenly. Alternatively, use granulated sugar or honey, but dissolve thoroughly.

Cool quickly

Remove tea bags or infuser. Let the tea cool at room temperature 10–15 minutes, then refrigerate or pour over a jug of ice (recommended: fill a pitcher with ice and pour the hot tea over it carefully) until chilled.

Serve over ice

Fill glasses with ice (about 1/2 to 1 cup per glass). Pour chilled tea over ice. Garnish with lemon slices or mint leaves as desired.

Iced Tea (cold-brew method)

Combine tea and cold water

Place 4 tablespoons loose-leaf tea or 4 tea bags into a pitcher. Add 4 cups cold filtered water.

Steep in refrigerator

Cover and refrigerate for 6–12 hours (8 hours is a good starting point). Longer steep yields stronger flavor; taste at 6 hours and adjust.

Strain and sweeten

Remove tea bags or strain leaves. Stir in simple syrup (about 2 tbsp) if desired while still cold. Simple syrup mixes easily; if using granulated sugar, dissolve first in a little hot water.

Serve

Fill glasses with ice, pour the cold-brewed tea over ice, and garnish with lemon slices or mint.