Green tea is one of the healthiest beverages you can drink. It is full of antioxidants and bioactive compounds that can help fight cancer, lower cholesterol, maintain a healthy metabolism and many other health benefits. In truth, green tea is not a cure for everything, but incorporating a cup or two into your daily diet can be beneficial. I like to drink it hot in the morning with a little lemon-infused honey syrup. I make the honey syrup ahead of time and keep it on hand in the fridge. In the evening when friends stop by, I turn the green tea and lemon-infused honey into a refreshing cocktail spiked with a splash of vodka. It is a light and refreshing cocktail that is also a fun way to kick off any meal.
4 cups fresh brewed green tea (as strong as you like)
½ cup water
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup local honey
¼ cup fresh lemon peel
Vodka (2 ounces per serving)
|
|
|
Lemon slices for garnish
FOR THE SIMPLE SYRUP:
- In a small sauce pot, heat the water to a simmer and add the lemon juice, honey and lemon peel. Continue simmering the mixture until the honey is completely dissolved.
- Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to come to room temperature.
- Remove the lemon peel from the simple syrup and place the mixture in an airtight container. Chill until you are ready to use. This honey syrup will last for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.
FOR THE COCKTAIL:
- Combine 2 ounces of vodka,
2 ounces of honey lemon syrup and 4 ounces of green tea in a cocktail shaker and stir. - Pour the green tea cocktail over a glass with ice. Top with a lemon slice and serve.
This article was originally published in the January 2021 issue of 225 magazine.