A spicy and refreshing drink, topped with half-and-half or sweetened condensed milk.

What to buy: Look for orange flower water at Kalustyan’s.com

  • Yield: 1/2 gallon
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Total: Under 5 mins
  • Active: Under 5 mins

Ingredients (9)

  • 8 star anise pods, finely crushed
  • 1 teaspoon orange blossom water
  • 1 vanilla pod (or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract)
  • Pinch ground cloves
  • Pinch ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup loose Chinese black tea leaves
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • Few drops red food coloring (optional)
  • Half-and-half or sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

  1. Bring 1/2 gallon of cold water to a boil. Add 8 finely crushed star anise pods, 1 teaspoon orange blossom water, the scrapings of 1 vanilla pod or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, a pinch each of ground cloves and ground cinnamon, and 1/2 cup Chinese black tea leaves.
  2. Boil for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and stir in 1 cup sugar and a few drops of red food coloring (optional, though traditional). Cover, steeping until tepid.
  3. Strain and pour the tea over plenty of crushed ice. Top with half-and-half or sweetened condensed milk.