Summer Thirst Quencher: Spiced Bourbon Honey Iced Tea

I was going to post this tomorrow, but if you’re in a part of the country that’s in the midst of a heat wave right now (it’s 96 degrees where I am, with a heat index of about 115), you might appreciate this thirst-quenching (and not-so-unhealthy) spiced bourbon and honey iced tea right now. We’ve been making it by the gallon around here, because it’s easy to make and just right for hot summer evenings (just remember in the morning that there’s bourbon in it; we’ve had mishaps…).

Since plain black tea is calorie-free, it’s really only the bourbon and the honey adding calories to the tea (or ‘punch’), for what works out to about 140 calories per 1-cup serving. Plus, you’re avoiding unnatural sugars, flavors and preservatives. Mix some up after work and it’ll be good to go by supper.

Spiced & Iced Bourbon Honey Tea

Servings: 6                  Serving size: 1 cup

Ingredients:

6 cups water
3 (chai or India) spiced black tea bags
1 cup bourbon
⅓ cup clover honey
optional: 2 sprigs lavendar, if you’ve got it handy
optional: 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Make It:

Combine all ingredients in a jug or pitcher with lid. Put on lid and shake it up (alternately, I guess you could stir, if that’s more your style).

Let it steep in the fridge. (I mean, obviously, you could drink it right away, but it’s better after it sits for an hour or few.)

Serve on it’s own or over ice; you may want to pour through a strainer if you used lavender, to avoid getting it in your drink.