Recipe: Summer Refresh drink

I went to a tea tasting last weekend at a shop with over 150 varieties of tea; dozens of which were variations of the fantastic South African Rooibos (pronounced 'roy-bus'). Even better, I found a new cookbook in the shop with recipes based on Rooibos tea as a cooking ingredient.

The book, A Touch of Rooibos, has over 100 different recipes from 14 of South Africa's top chefs. The cookbook gives you a quick study of each chef as well as some tips on cooking with Rooibos, then heads in to delicious territory with soups, salads, mains, desserts, drinks and more. Rooibos tea is very easy to find these days; check your grocery store tea aisle and I bet you'll find some.

I chose a drink recipe to share with you today. It comes from a fantastic lodge in the mountains of the Cederberg region that is well worth a visit and a special place to stay. The valleys are dotted with citrus groves and there is hiking nearby as well as mysterious and beautiful San rock art. The highest vineyard in South Africa can be found in this region as well. If you'd like to learn more about Bushman's Kloof lodge or include it in your own South Africa itinerary just give us a call. On with our refreshing recipe...


Summer Refresh
Recipe by Bushmans Kloof from A Touch of Rooibos
Makes 20 glasses

4 cups cold, strong Rooibos
4 cups orange juice
4 cups lemonade, chilled
2 cups soda water, chilled
1 lemon, sliced
fresh mint leaves
crushed ice

1. Mix the Rooibos and orange juice. Place in the refrigerator to chill.
2. To serve, half fill a tall glass with the Rooibos mixture. Top up with the chilled lemonade and soda water to taste.
3. Garnish with lemon slices and mint. Serve with crushed ice.

Voila! Enjoy this summertime treat. No doubt, it would be nice to sip during an African sunset.

Photos courtesy Gretchen Healey