‘Purple Sapphire' Lavender Iced Tea💜❄️ perfect mixer or soft drink

Lavender is such a unique and fragrant herb, but an infusion of lavender doesn’t have the beautiful colour of the flower. This iced drink does, however! What’s more, it’s all-natural and couldn’t be simpler to prepare.

How the magic happens

The secret to this drink’s gorgeous colour is a reaction between hibiscus tea and pineapple juice – the two other components of this drink. An infusion of hibiscus is usually a beautiful ruby red colour, but when pineapple juice is added, it turns a marvelous deep purple (or neon pink, depending on the strength of the infusion)!

Which pineapple juice to use

I have found that it’s best to use pineapple juice from a can of preserved pineapple; pineapple juice from a carton will make the colour change, but the drink will be cloudy.

Of course, freshly squeezed pineapple juice will probably work just as well as the canned pineapple juice, but that’s a lot of work, whereas canned pineapple is so easy and can be kept in your pantry for whenever you want to make this drink.

And, the bonus: you can eat the pineapple too. Since we’re keeping it simple, why not just chop it up and serve it with yoghurt for a healthy dessert or snack?

Health benefits

According to NutritonFacts.org, lavender “has been found to change brain wave patterns. Therefore, its attracting greater scientific interest—from potential early indications for Alzheimer’s disease to generalized anxiety.”

A healthy alternative to booze for calming the nerves? They continue: “Taken internally in capsule form, lavender has been found to effectively treat generalized anxiety, compared to benzodiazepines. Lavender may be a safer alternative, due to the side effects associated with many conventional treatments. “

Hibiscus is purported to have some amazing health benefits. Dr Michael Greger of NutritionFacts.org does recommend rinsing your mouth with water afterwards to protect your tooth enamel from its acidity. He also warns not to drink more than a quart (about a litre) of it a day, max, due to its high manganese content.

Recipe: ‘Purple Sapphire’ Lavender Iced Tea 💜❄️ perfect mixer or soft drink

All measurements are level, using standardised measuring spoons and cups.

Requirements

• Standardised measuring cups and spoons

• Teapot or heat-proof jug (e.g. Pyrex), 1 litre capacity

• Tea strainer or fine-meshed sieve

Ingredients

• 1 tsp dried hibiscus

• 2 tsp dried lavender
  (for culinary preparations .. don’t buy decorative flowers by accident if shopping online)

• 600 ml water

• 100 ml pineapple juice
  (from a large can of pineapple rings or freshly juiced, see above comments)

• agave nectar or vegan honey alternative (optional)
  

Instructions

1. Add the lavender and hibiscus to your teapot or heat-proof jug along with 600ml freshly boiled water. Brew for 5-8 minutes depending on desired strength.*

2. Strain off the hibiscus and lavender. Add your pineapple juice through a strainer to remove pulp — especially important if you want that glassy, gem-like appearance.

3. If you want it sweeter, add more pineapple juice (which will make the pineapple taste more dominant, of course) or add some agave nectar or vegan honey alternative, to taste.

4. Allow it to cool a bit then bottle it. Chill in the fridge and serve with ice. Optionally, garnish with pineapple.
   

Tips 💡

• *Note: brewing for longer, or adding more hibiscus, will result in a darker coloured drink

• This would be the perfect drink to serve at a magic-themed party or Harry Potter viewing party. It looks straight out of Potions class!

• It would also make a stunning mixer in combination with a clear spirit, such as vodka, tequila or gin.

• I’m currently going booze-free for Dry February and this drink is a fun change of pace from non-alcoholic beers and oversweetened softdrinks.
  

Recipe by Ticho’s Table (tichostable.com) 🌿

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