Kuwaiti Cinnamon-Orange Iced Tea

A refreshing bevvy from Aarti Sequeira for Food Network Magazine.

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 2  large  piece  orange peel, plus orange slices for garnish (garnish is optional)
• 1  cinnamon stick, plus more for garnish (garnish is optional)
• 8  black tea bags

• For the Syrup

• 1  cup sugar (to taste)
• 6  quarter-size coins peeled ginger, chopped
• 6  sprigs of fresh mint

Directions

1. Combine 8 cups water, the orange peel and cinnamon stick in a saucepan over low heat and bring to a boil. Add the tea bags and turn off the heat. Let the tea steep for about 5 minutes (no more or else it will be bitter), then remove the tea bags and chill the tea; don't remove the cinnamon stick or the orange peel yet. Don't squeeze the tea bags due to the same bitterness result.
2. Meanwhile, make the syrup: Combine 1 cup water (or amount to taste), the sugar and ginger in a small saucepan over low heat and bring to a boil without stirring. Once boiling, turn off the heat. Rip the mint leaves and stalks into pieces and drop into the syrup. Let cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes. Strain the syrup, discarding the mint and ginger.
3. Strain the tea into a pitcher. Add the mint syrup according to your taste buds and stir. Serve in tall glasses over ice and garnish with orange slices and cinnamon sticks, if you like.