Too Much Time On My Hands

This caffeine-free show stopper made with our Pacific Lemongrass Iced Tea is a reference to not only the current pandemic that’s cleared everyone’s social calendars, but also to the STYX song we can’t stop listening to in our tea lab.

Incorporating a homemade grenadine that’s both cleaner and more straight forward than the store-bought counterpart, this beverage looks best when layered to be hombre, but appreciates a good stir after preparation for optimal flavor.

Ingredients

• 4 oz Pacific Lemongrass Iced Tea concentrate*
• 4 oz Sparkling water (we used Topo Chico)
• 1 ½ tsp Homemade grenadine**
• 1 tsp Simple syrup***
• Orange peel for garnish

Directions

Add grenadine to Collins glass, then fill with ice. Slowly layer the tea concentrate, simple syrup, and top with sparkling water so that there’s a gradation of color. Garnish with an orange peel.

*To make the Pacific Lemongrass concentrate. Bring spring or freshly drawn filtered water to a boil (212 degrees). Steep 1 oversized sachet of Smith’s Pacific Lemongrass Iced Tea in 16oz of water for 5 minutes. Remove tea and water back up to 16 oz. Let cool. Will make enough concentrate for 4 mocktails.

**To make the homemade grenadine. In a nonstick or steel skillet combine 1 cup 100% pomegranate juice (we used POM Wonderful) and 1 cup Demerara sugar and set to medium heat. Once you reach a stiff simmer, reduce the heat slightly and add the peel of one whole orange. Simmer steadily for 10-15 minutes. You’ll notice a slight reduction of volume. Remove from heat and let stand 15 minutes. Strain into a clean airtight jar and refrigerate for up to one month.

***To make simple syrup, mix equal parts hot water and sweetener of choice until fully dissolved. Let cool.