Strawberry-Mint Tea Recipe

This big-batch herbal tea is just the thing you want to have on hand during the hot summer months. The recipe, which comes from herbalist jovan sage of brunswick, georgia-based sages larder, doesnt contain dried herbs or tea leaves. Instead, you muddle chopped fresh strawberries with sugar, cook the berry mixture until the sugar melts, then stir in sprigs of fresh peppermint. Before you add the mint to the berry mixture, sage recommends slapping each mint sprig in the palm of your hand to release the herbs volatile oils, which makes the drink extra flavorful. The sweet, mint-infused berry mixture is strained, then combined with sparkling water to make a refreshing, effervescent drink. The recipe calls for spearmint, but any variety of mint will work just as well, so take advantage of whats growing (or when it comes to mint over-growing) in your garden. Spearmint or chocolate mint would be especially tasty. Strawberry-mint tea is delicious on its own, served over ice. But you can also use it as a mixer to make cocktailsgin, vodka, or light rum would all make good additions.