Simple recipe - Loganberry Iced Tea

OK, so this first recipe is extremely simple, but anyone who knows Buffalo and Western New York, knows that it is blasphemy to dislike Loganberry.  If you are not from the area, you are probably asking what the heck Loganberry is.... in a nutshell, it is a pretty sweet berry flavored soft drink.  If you haven't had it, I am not really sure that the flavor can be described.  I guess in some way, if you have ever had Ribena Black Current drink concentrate, it is kind of like that... but not really.

So, before I get to the recipe, let me say that Loganberry drink is sweet..... really sweet.   Now, as a kid, that smack your lips sweetness was amazing!  However, as I have gotten older, and lost my taste for sweet things, I began to cut my Loganberry with water, to cut down on the "smack" factor.... which is how I came up with this drink...

If you need to order online, here is a link to a Loganberry syrup:

http://shop.christmascentral.com/items/item.aspx?itemid=16153645&CAWELAID=1621629147&catargetid=1614140047&cagpspn=pla-&gclid=CNGXkPvkmrMCFbQ7OgodXF8A2A


So, here it is - the recipe for Loganberry Iced Tea:

What you need:

- 3-6 tea bags
- Approximately 1.5 quarts of water (more or less depending on what container size you have)
- Approximately 1/2 litre of Loganberry drink - or approximately 1/4 cup loganberry syrup - add slowly and increase if you want it sweeter.... a little goes a long way

Boil water (about 200 degrees if you are using black tea, roughly 160 degrees if you are using green or white).  Once the water is boiled,  pour into any container that can withstand heat, and steep 3-6 tea bags for about 5 minutes.  If you like your tea strong, steep longer (shorter for less strength).

Once the tea has steeped long enough, pour into your drink container over ice.  Make sure to leave room for the Loganberry.  Then, add the Loganberry, and refrigerate.  When cold, serve in a glass over ice.  Garnish with mint or lemon.

This is simple, but a yummy way to cut some of the sweetness (and calories!) from this Western New York staple!

Next time I brew some of this up, I will post a picture of it!  If you try it, make sure to comment and let me know what you think!!