Ingredients:

  • 4-5 large fresh passion fruits (approximately 0.5 cup pulp)
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cup water
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 4 high-quality black tea bags
  • 2 cups boiling filtered water
  • 1 cup cold water
  • Fresh mint sprigs for garnish
  • Thin lemon wheels for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Slice the passion fruits in half and scoop the pulp and seeds into your small saucepan. Add 0.5 cup sugar and 0.5 cup water to the pulp. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes until the liquid looks glossy and slightly syrupy. Stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice, then remove from heat. Strain the mixture through your mesh sieve, pressing on the solids to extract every drop of liquid. Set aside to cool.
  2. Place 4 black tea bags in a heat proof jar or pitcher and pour over the boiling water. Steep for exactly 4 minutes for maximum flavor without bitterness. Remove the tea bags (don't squeeze!) and stir in 1 cup of cold water. This lowers the temperature immediately and prevents the tea from becoming too concentrated.
  3. Stir the cooled passion fruit syrup into the tea base. Fill tall glasses with plenty of ice — the more ice, the less it melts. Pour the tea over, top with a lemon wheel and a slap of fresh mint to release its oils.