Tea is as versatile as it is delicious. It can be spiced, iced, milky or just as it comes. On a hot summer’s day Iced tea is the ultimate re-hydrator.
| A Czech-Inspired Delight: Beer Iced Tea (Pivni Ledovy Caj)One of my all-time favorite iced tea recipes comes from a rather unexpected source—Czech Republic. Known for their love of beer, it’s no surprise that the Czechs would find a way to blend this passion with tea. Enter the Beer Iced Tea, or Pivni Ledovy Caj—a drink that’s both surprising and delightful, not just for its flavor but for its sheer wow factor. I first encountered this unique beverage thanks to a cajovnik (tea master) at Cajovna nad Vetrnym Kopcem in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Made from dark Taiwanese oolong, this tea—when prepared correctly—bears an uncanny resemblance to an Irish stout. Imagine a full amber body topped with a frothy, foamy head. We used to serve it in a beer glass just to see the look of amazement on people’s faces! And the taste? It’s a deliciously sweet and nutty infusion, perfect for anyone who enjoys a beer on a chilly day but isn’t in the mood for alcohol. Note: This special brew takes up to 12 hours to prepare, but trust us, it’s worth the wait! |
Recipe for Beer Iced Tea
Ingredients:
– Dark, almost fully fermented oolong (an orange oolong will give a nice fruity and nutty flavor)
– White or castor sugar
– Fresh lemon or lemon juice
– Ice (optional)
Apparatus:
– A receptacle for infusing (such as a glass beaker or pan)
– A glass bottle (750ml to 1L, we love using empty, cleaned glass Irn-Bru bottles for a touch of nostalgia)
– Strainer
– Beer glass
– Funnel
Method:
– Place 2 heaped tablespoons of oolong into your infusing pot (glass beaker or pan).
– Pour in 1 liter of water heated to 90°C (just before boiling).
– Allow the tea to brew for 10 minutes.
– While the tea is brewing, use a funnel to add 4-6 tablespoons of white sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice into the glass bottle.
– Strain the brewed tea and pour it into the glass bottle, leaving a little space at the top (don’t fill to the brim).
– Place the bottle in the fridge and let it chill overnight (approximately 12 hours).
To Serve:
Before serving, give the bottle a thorough shake. Turn it upside down and back a few times to mix everything well. Then, pour the tea slowly into a beer glass and watch as a beautiful foamy head forms, resembling that of a freshly poured stout. It’s a sensory experience that blends the world of tea with the joy of a cold beer—perfect for those cozy evenings.
Cheers to new tea experiences!
Orange Blossom Oolong – https://tchaiovna.com/shop/product/orange-blossom-oolong/