Exact quantities, then the method.
This is a rooibos cordial for the colder months: a concentrated, caffeine-free syrup of rooibos with cinnamon, clove, star anise and orange. Top it with hot water for an instant mulled-style cup, with soda for a festive long drink, or with apple juice for a no-alcohol punch. Rooibos brews strong without going bitter, so the base stays clean and sweet.
Source: teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for the Spiced Winter Red Cordial Base recipe. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/recipes/iced-tea/spiced-winter-red-cordial-base/
This cordial is built on Teapigs Spiced Winter Red, a caffeine free rooibos with spices. Fifteen minutes, and it makes about 500ml.
You'll need
- 6 Teapigs Spiced Winter Red tea temples
- 400ml water
- 250g caster sugar
- Juice and pared zest of 1 orange
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 cloves
- 2 star anise, optional
Method
- Boil the water, add the 6 temples and the extra spices, and steep 8 minutes. Rooibos cannot over brew, so a long steep deepens the spice with no bitterness.
- Lift the temples out, return the brew to the pan with the sugar and orange zest, and stir over low heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Simmer gently 6 minutes to a light syrup, stir in the orange juice, then take off the heat.
- Cool, strain out the zest and whole spices, and pour into a clean bottle.
- For a mulled style hot cup, mix 1 part base with 4 parts just boiled water. Festive soda: 1 part base, 4 parts cold soda. Punch: dilute to taste with apple juice.
- Refrigerate the Winter Red cordial and use it soon; we leave its keeping time open, as with every cordial made at home. Caffeine free, so good for evening.
The tea it is made with, and what to make next.
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Brewed with: Teapigs Spiced Winter Red, 15 Tea Bags 37.5g
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