Spiced Apple Tea

Makes: 8 servings
Start to Finish: 25 mins

Ingredients
1 lemon
4 cups apple juice [1 L]
2 cups water [500 ml]
4 inches stick cinnamon
1 tablespoon whole cardamom pods, crushed
1 teaspoon whole cloves
6 black tea bags (decaffeinated, if desired)
1/4 cup maple syrup [49 g]
Thin apple slices (optional) Directions

1. Use a vegetable peeler to remove strips of peel from half of the lemon; set peel aside. Squeeze juice from lemon.

2. Combine apple juice, water, and 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice in a large saucepan. (Save remaining juice for another use.) For the spice bag, place cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and the lemon peel strips in the center of a 6-inch square of double-thick 100-percent cotton cheesecloth. Bring corners together and tie with a clean string. Add bag to apple juice mixture.

3. Bring mixture to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Add tea bags; cover and let stand 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and spice bag and discard them. Stir in maple syrup. Serve in mugs. If desired, float apple slices on top of each serving. Makes 8 servings.


nutrition information
Per Serving: cal. (kcal) 85, Fat, total (g) 0, chol. (mg) 0, sat. fat (g) 0, carb. (g) 21, fiber (g) 0, pro. (g) 0, vit. A (IU) 0, vit. C (mg) 1.77, sodium (mg) 6, calcium (mg) 20.19, iron (mg) 0.54, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet