Mint Lime Iced Tea with Simple Syrup

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There is nothing like summer in Canada. More specifically, there is nothing like summer in Ontario.  Our summers are sunny, hot, and filled with endless shades of green and blue. Quite frankly, it's stunning. It's the type of weather that makes you want to sit back, put up your feet, and sip on something gold and refreshing - and that's exactly what we're going to do today!

This recipe was inspired by a meal I had well over a year ago on our trip to Cambodia.  We dined at Friends restaurant (which remains one of the best meals I've had) and I ordered this drink in hopes of finding a thirst quencher that would help me beat the heat.  It did, and I've been wanting to drink it again ever since. Well, I finally got around to making it, and of course it was about the simplest thing ever, which means it's likely to become a refrigerator regular.  Huzzah!

The base of this recipe is a simple unsweetened iced tea (read: cold black tea), but the mint and lime combine to make it oh-so-refreshing, and the simple syrup served on the side lets you adjust the sweetness to your tastes and makes it seem extra fancy - everybody wins!

This would be a great addition to your next BBQ, girls-day-at-the-beach session, or anytime you want to sip on something yummy and refreshing.

Enjoy, and keep reading for the recipe!

Mint Lime Iced Tea with Simple Syrup

5 tea bags - regular ol' Tetley's works well
1.5 L water, boiling
4 limes, separated 
1 small bundle of mint leaves (approximately 20-25 leaves), removed from stem
simple syrup (recipe below)

Directions

1. Place the tea bags in a heat safe jug and pour in the boiling water (I actually boiled about 1 Litre and then added 0.5 Litre of room temperature water after steeping… either will work!)
2. Allow the tea bags to steep for about 7-10 minutes - give it a good old fashioned taste test to see if the tea has steeped enough for your flavour preference, then remove the tea bags
3. Cool the mixture on the counter for about 30 minutes before placing the jug in the refrigerator - this helps to keep the jug and the fridge from cracking, then cool in the refrigerator for about 2 hours
4. In the mean time, juice 3 of the limes and slice the other and set both aside
5. This is also a great time to make your simple syrup so that it has time to cool before you finish the iced tea
6. Once the tea is cooled, add in the lime juice and slices and gently tear the mint leaves and add to the mixture
7. Give it a good stir and serve over ice with the simple syrup!
8. Enjoy!

For the Simple Syrup

1 cup water

1 cup white sugar

Directions:

1. Combine the water and sugar in a medium saucepan over low-medium heat and stir occasionally 
2. Bring to a boil and let the sugar dissolve completely
3. Remove from heat and allow to cool before using
4. Serve along side the iced tea