We are still caught up in a winter wonderland here in Portland and it doesn’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon. It’s been a lot of fun exploring the neighborhood with all the snow and the dog is in heaven. I don’t have any experience driving in the snow and the anxiety it creates is something I could do without. When it’s this cold outside I want something warm and comforting to drink but try not to drink caffeine after noon.
There are dozens of boxes of tea in my cupboard. For a long time, I had to force myself to drink it or only brewed up a cup when I was feeling under the weather. Recently I’ve found that I’m much more likely to drink and enjoy it when it’s infused with herbs and fruit. While this concoction isn’t officially tea, it’s a calming, fragrant and detoxifying mixture that makes me feel warm and cozy. Sliced oranges, crushed ginger and lots of fresh mint leaves result in a spicy, slightly sweet beverage that will guarantee you will get your required eight glasses of water in for the day. The tea will intensify in flavor the longer it sits, but you can strain it after 5 minutes if you’d like a weaker tea.
If you make this recipe be sure to tag #scalingback on Instagram – I love seeing what you create in your kitchen! You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Snapchat (username: jeffers.tina)
- 1 orange, sliced into wedges
- 5-6 sprigs fresh mint leaves
- 3 ginger slices, ¼-inch thick
- Bring two cups of water to a simmer. While the water is heating using a mortar and pestle or muddler lightly crush the mint and ginger and place into a small teapot. Add the orange slices, pour the water over the top and let steep for 5 minutes. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer and serve hot.
