Lately I have been trying to cool off the warm late spring days by drinking lots of water and healthy iced beverages. One of my definite favorites is Homemade Pineapple-Mint Iced Tea. Living in the southern US, iced tea appears on every single restaurant menu– an absolute must.… and I’ve got my own version, inspired by a traditional combination of flavors which is very popular in my home country, Brazil: pineapple and mint!!!
This flavor is widely commercialized in teas there. Since it is not so easy to find in prepared boxed teas here, I took matters into my own hands and came up with my own recipe, which can be enjoyed either hot or iced, depending upon the weather and/or personal preferences.
This recipe is quite simple and very economical, since it is made mostly using pineapple peels. The pulp can be used to make such treats as Pineapple-Mint Popsicles, Tropical Salad , Piña Colada Cheesecake Smoothie, and Brazilian-Style Fruit Salad. This tea contains antioxidants and aids the digestive process.
All that you will need is to do is basically to boil a couple of pineapple slices, their peels, a few fresh mint leaves, and one cinnamon stick. It can be sweetened either with sugar or sugar substitute. How easy is that?!
I hope you make and enjoy this ultimate summer beverage!!!
xx
Homemade Pineapple-Mint Iced Tea
Yield: About 2 quarts (Almost 2 liters)
Segment: Brazilian cuisine
Ingredients:
Peels of one pineapple, washed
2 slices of pineapple, cut into chunks
2 quarts/liters of water
1 cinnamon stick
8 fresh mint leaves
Sugar, honey, or sugar substitute to taste
Directions:
1. Place both the pineapple peels and chunks, water, and cinnamon stick in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Let cook for about 25-30 minutes.
2. Then, turn off the heat and add the mint leaves. Cover and let sit for approximately 15-20 minutes. Strain the mixture. Discard everything except the pineapple chunks and boiled liquid!
3. In a blender, blend the pineapple chunks with 1 cup of the boiled, strained liquid. Strain and stir it into the remaining boiled, strained liquid. Sweeten with sugar, honey, or sugar substitute to taste. Let cool down and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Add ice and serve.
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The Café Sucre Farine
May 26, 2013 at 11:31 pmDenise, this looks so good! I’ve never thought of this combination but I’m so glad you did! I buy a pineapple almost every week and always throw out the peel. What a great, delicious way to use the whole pineapple, love it!
Denise Browning
May 27, 2013 at 2:53 pmThanks, Chris! So here it is a good way to use pineapple peels…
Raymund
May 27, 2013 at 2:24 amThat looks live a very refreshing tea
Denise Browning
May 27, 2013 at 2:51 pmThanks, Raymund! It is very refreshing indeed…and economical too!!!
Irina @ wandercrush
May 27, 2013 at 7:08 pmBAH this sounds like the perfect summer drink!
Denise Browning
May 27, 2013 at 7:41 pmThanks, Irina! Even my 5 year old became a fan of it…
Deb
May 27, 2013 at 8:26 pmThe combination of pineapple and mint with a hint of cinnamon sounds so refreshing! A splendid summer refreshment!
Denise Browning
May 27, 2013 at 8:40 pmThank you, Deb!This is a summer fav at my house.
Liz
May 27, 2013 at 8:27 pmI’m a hot tea kind of gal, but iced tea with pineapple could sway me to the chilled side! Beautiful, Denise!
Denise Browning
May 27, 2013 at 8:41 pmLiz: The good thing about this tea is that can be drunk either warm or chilled depending on personal preferences.
Mi Vida en un Dulce
May 27, 2013 at 9:04 pmUmmm…cha de hortela was one of my favorities Brazilian drinks, I found it so fresh…!!!
Denise Browning
May 28, 2013 at 6:49 amNydia: Now you can make by yourself without having to buy in a prepacked box. 🙂
Abbe@This is How I Cook
May 28, 2013 at 11:38 amGreat idea, Denise. Now I know what to do with all those leftover pineapple rinds!
Denise Browning
May 28, 2013 at 11:44 amAbbe:
We can take advantage from the entire fruit, even its peels.
Lail | With A Spin
May 28, 2013 at 4:31 pmThis tea looks ever so refreshing, Denise.
Denise Browning
May 30, 2013 at 10:30 amIt is, Lail! Try and will be hooked like we are…
Juliana
May 29, 2013 at 7:50 pmDenise, this pineapple juice with mint looks perfect for the warm weather that is sure getting here…I love the cinnamon touch.
Hope you are having a great week my dear 🙂
Denise Browning
May 30, 2013 at 10:29 amThanks, Juliana! Uma boa semana pra você também.
Kate@Diethood
May 30, 2013 at 9:07 amI LOOOOVE this drink!! Mint, pineapple, tea… all of these words are making me oh so freakin’ happy!! It means summer is here! 😀
Beautiful beverage… I need to meet with it!
Denise Browning
May 30, 2013 at 9:45 amThanks, Kate! I hope you have the opportunity to try it. Even my five-year-old became a fan of it. It’s pretty refreshing.
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
May 30, 2013 at 3:21 pmMmmm….. so refreshing for summer!
Nami | Just One Cookbook
June 5, 2013 at 6:56 pmI thought cooking the peel part was interesting! Very refreshing, delicious iced tea!
Denise Browning
June 5, 2013 at 8:21 pmIt is refreshing and economical, Nami! I’ll never waste pineapple peels anymore because I’ll be using them to make this tea.
Ben
October 8, 2013 at 9:02 pmi cant wait to try and make it!!!!!:)
Denise Browning
October 8, 2013 at 9:03 pmEnjoy, Ben! This is a very refreshing beverage.
lali
November 1, 2013 at 6:21 pmIn central America we make this drink a lot. Food vendors on the streets sell it and it always sells out 🙂 We use the pineapple skin with spices. We do not use the mint leaves. Sooo good and refreshing…
Denise Browning
November 1, 2013 at 6:56 pmThanks, Lali, for stopping by! Welcome to FBTY!!! In Brazil, we make it with mint. It’s quite refreshing indeed!
Isabella
April 6, 2015 at 2:40 pmEssa receita é ótima ! muito boa mesmo ! Adorei ! Muito obrigada por compartilhar sempre conteúdo de qualidade conosco !
Denise Browning
April 6, 2015 at 5:30 pmIsabella, obrigada! O prazer é meu. Fico feliz que você gostou… No calorzão do verão, é melhor ainda…