Strawberry Basil Ice tea

With Summer coming it's time to start thinking of having cooling beverages that nourish the soul in the summer heat. Basil Strawberry ice tea is easy to make and refreshing to imbibe.

Ingredients are underlined and in bold print

Take about 7 - 8 bags of black tea (reg. or decaf) and place in about 4 cups of very hot water (I heated the water in a teapot until it whistled). Let teabags set for about 5 minutes. (take out tea bags and set aside).

place 1 cup sugar in 1 cup cool water  in a sauce pan - heat until sugar is dissolved (clearish with little bubbles around the side of the pan. Add 1 cup of basil leaves and stir: let sit about 10 minutes

After 10 minutes pour the sugar/water/basil water through a sieve into 1 package cut up strawberries I use a 1 pound package of strawberries with stems removed and let sit for 30 minutes on the counter

below: strawberries sitting in basil infused sugar/water (light syrup)

Add the steeped tea into the strawberry and basil infused light syrup

Serve with ice and a few basil leaves