Iced Greek mountain tea with lemon and honey

Mountain tea is not just for winter. Served cold with lemon and a little honey, it becomes a refreshing summer drink with no colourings and only as much sugar as you choose.

Ingredients (for 1 litre)

• 2 sprigs from a mountain tea bunch (about 6 grams) or 4 tea bags
• 1 litre water
• 2–3 tablespoons honey
• 1 lemon
• ice
• optional: a few fresh mint leaves

Steps

1. Brew a strong tea. Put the tea in the water, bring it to the boil and let it simmer, covered, for 7–8 minutes. For iced tea we want it a little stronger, because the ice dilutes it.
2. Stir in the honey while it is warm. Take it off the heat, let it cool slightly and stir in the honey until it dissolves.
3. Strain and chill. Let it come to room temperature, then pour it into a jug and chill it for at least 2 hours.
4. Serve. Add the juice of half a lemon, slices of the other half, ice and, if you like, mint.

The lemon goes in at the end, into the cold tea, so its aroma stays fresh.

Variations

• With orange: orange slices and a little juice instead of lemon.
• With cinnamon: a cinnamon stick in the pot while it simmers. It goes very well with the honey.
• Unsweetened: plain, with lemon and ice, it is very refreshing.

How long it keeps

In a closed jug in the fridge, iced tea keeps for 2–3 days. It is best made in small batches so it always smells fresh.

For the classic hot cup, see how to brew perfect Greek mountain tea.

Sources

• Mia Kouppa: Greek Mountain Tea (Tsai tou vounou)
• Greek City Times: Greek herbal teas