I love snacking on a handful of cold cherries during the hot days, but I had a bunch of them in my refrigerator, and I knew I wasn't going to be able to eat them fast enough before they went bad. --so, cue making a big batch of cherry tea.
Long praised for its digestive benefits, as well as diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties, cherry tea is also a very calming tonic that naturally contains high levels of melatonin, and can help you relax after a long day.
Regularly made with black or green tea, I chose to make a caffeine-free herbal infusion using just the fruit instead. After it was finished, I put the plain cherry infusion into a mason jar, and later fixed it up three different ways.
Cherry & Cinnamon Tea
Halved and pitted Cherries
Water
Cinnamon
Black Pepper
Lemon
Honey
- Bring cherries to a simmer, and let them bubble for about 15 minutes
- Turn off heat, and let steep for another 10 minutes
- Strain out cherry meat
- Combine cherry infusion with cinnamon, a pinch of black pepper, lemon and sweeten with a touch of honey.
*Want to give it a little extra night time touch? Make it a Hot Toddy by adding a bit of bourbon or brandy.
Cherry Ginger Tea
Halved and pitted Cherries
Water
Ginger
Turmeric
Honey
- Bring cherries to a simmer, and let them bubble for about 15 minutes.
- Turn off heat, add in thinly sliced ginger, and let steep for another 10 minutes
- Strain out cherry meat and ginger slices, and add in turmeric.
- Pour and sweeten with a touch of honey.
Iced Cherry & Lemon Tea
Halved and pitted CherriesWater
Lemon
Mint
- Bring cherries to a simmer, and let them bubble for about 15 minutes
- Turn off heat, and let steep for another 10 minutes
- Strain out cherry meat, and chill
- Combine cherry infusion with muddled mint sprigs, and lemon
- Sweeten if desired
*Want to add a little sparkle? Top it off with a bit of club soda or Topo Chico for a bubbly treat!
