Tahitian Vanilla Iced Tea

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword creamy iced tea, homemade iced tea, spiced iced tea recipe, star anise tea, vanilla iced tea

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 5

Total Time 20

Servings 12 servings

A spiced black tea simmered with star anise, vanilla and orange flowers, sweetened to taste and served over crushed ice with half & half poured on top. Makes a creamy iced drink for warm days.

Ingredients

1 gallon water
8 Chinese star anise ground
1 tablespoon orange flowers
1 tablespoon powdered vanilla
1 pinch clove powder
1 pinch cinnamon chopped
3/4 quart long-cut China black tea leaves
1 to 2 cups sugar to taste
1 quart half & half
Red food coloring optional, a drop per glass
Crushed ice for serving

Directions

Heat the water to a boil in a large stockpot.
Stir in the ground star anise, orange flowers, powdered vanilla, clove, cinnamon, and tea leaves.
Keep it boiling for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring the whole time.
Take the pot off the heat, put on the lid, and let it steep until it cools to lukewarm.
Pour the liquid through a strainer to remove the spices and tea leaves.
Sweeten with sugar, adding as much as you like.
Fill clear glasses with plenty of crushed ice and pour the tea over it.
Finish each glass with a splash of half & half, and a little red food coloring if you want.

Notes

Strained tea base keeps covered and refrigerated 3 to 4 days; after adding half & half, refrigerate and use within 3 to 4 days. Keep ice and dairy separate until serving.

Nutrition

Nutrition is an estimate per serving from USDA FoodData Central, for 12 servings; half & half counted as half and half. Brands and portions vary, so use it only as an approximation.