Beat summer heat with strawberry iced tea

Summer has arrived and it goes without saying that Bagladeshi summers are far from enjoyable as the scorching heat and humidity leaves no room for summertime bliss. As we struggle to keep ourselves cool during these rough few months, nothing can beat a tall, refreshing glass of drink. 

Whether it's fresh juice or some iced-tea, homemade drinks should be the first choice for anyone due to its many health benefits and hygiene factors; especially as the Covid-19 pandemic looms over our heads, where good hygiene is of utmost importance. 

Here is an iced-tea recipe everyone can easily make at home with fruits easily available in the bazaars.

Ingredients:

4 cups water

4 teaspoons loose Earl Grey tea

Strawberry simple syrup

Ice

Fresh strawberry slices for garnish

Fresh lemon slices for garnish

Instructions:

Strawberry simple syrup

Take 1.5 cups of de-stemmed and sliced strawberries and add in one cup of water along with a cup of granulated sugar in a large saucepan. Set it over medium-high heat. 

Bring it to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, and cook for 20 minutes until the liquid turns deep red and the strawberries have softened.

Strain the strawberries out from the simple syrup, making sure not to press down on the strawberries, otherwise the syrup will become cloudy.

Chill the strawberry simple syrup in the fridge for an hour or two until cold. 

Iced-tea

Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the tea, and let steep for five minutes.

Pour the tea through a fine meshed strainer, then let it come to room temperature. Refrigerate until it has completely cooled.

Add ice to a glass and fill about 3/4 of the way up with the tea. Add a few tablespoons of the strawberry simple syrup until the tea is of desired sweetness. 

Garnish the glass with fresh strawberry and lemon slices and enjoy!

Note: Replace the strawberry in the simple syrup with other juicy fruits to make a different flavoured simple syrup to be added to any drink of your choice.