Ginger Tea Coolers

 

3

cups water

1

piece (2 inch) unpeeled gingerroot, finely chopped (2 tablespoons)

1/3

cup sugar

3

tea bags green tea or 3 teaspoons loose green tea

2

cups lime sparkling water

2

cups ice cubes

1

lemon, thinly sliced, if desired

1

lime, thinly sliced, if desired

1

orange, thinly sliced, if desired

• 1 In 2-quart saucepan, heat water, gingerroot and sugar to boiling over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat. Cover; simmer 5 minutes. Add tea bags; remove from heat. Cover; let steep 15 minutes.
• 2 Remove tea bags. Cool tea to room temperature, about 10 minutes. Pour through strainer into clean 2-quart pitcher to strain. Refrigerate at least 2 hours until chilled.
• 3 Just before serving, add sparkling water and ice cubes to pitcher. Garnish with lemon, lime and/or orange slices.