Iced Cranberry, Orange and White Tea Soda with Fresh Sage
An original, elegant sparkling drink made with a gently cooked cranberry base, fresh orange, and chilled white tea, finished with sparkling water and aromatic sage. It balances tartness, sweetness, and herbal notes, making it ideal for a warm afternoon or a special non-alcoholic drink.
Ingredients
- 180 g fresh or frozen cranberries (for the concentrado)
- 160 ml fresh orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 4 g orange zest (without the parte blanca amarga)
- 240 ml brewed white tea, chilled (intenso pero suave)
- 70 g sugar (ajustar to taste)
- 6 g fresh sage leaves (more extra for decorar)
- 120 ml water (for cocer the concentrado)
- 720 ml chilled sparkling water (for terminar the bebida)
- 400 g ice (approx.)
- 8 g thin orange slices (for servir)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
No declared allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, sugar, water, and 4 sage leaves. Cook over medium heat until it reaches a gentle simmer, about 8 to 10 minutes; for a temperature reference, aim for a light simmer near 212°F / 100°C.
- 2
2. Remove from the heat and lightly crush the cranberries with a spoon to release more flavor. Let the mixture steep for 5 minutes with the sage.
- 3
3. Strain the concentrate into a container, pressing on the solids to extract the liquid. Discard the solids and chill the concentrate until cold. For faster chilling, place it in the refrigerator at about 39°F / 4°C for 10 to 15 minutes.
- 4
4. In a pitcher, combine the chilled concentrate with the chilled white tea and stir well.
- 5
5. Divide the ice among 4 glasses. Add 2 thin orange slices and half a leaf or one small fresh sage leaf to each glass.
- 6
6. Pour the cranberry-tea mixture into each glass until about two-thirds full. Top with the chilled sparkling water and stir gently so the bubbles stay lively.
- 7
7. Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining sage leaves if desired.
Chef tips
For a cleaner flavor, brew the white tea with water at 176°F / 80°C and steep for only 3 minutes before chilling. If you want a deeper flavor, let the concentrate rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before mixing.
Substitutions
You can replace the sugar with the same amount of coconut sugar or 60 ml (1/4 cup) simple syrup. The sage can be swapped for fresh basil if you want a sweeter herbal profile. White tea may be replaced with chilled chamomile tea, though the final flavor will be less delicate.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageVictorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef’s Knife
Chopping, slicing and cutting strips
- The knife I use most when cooking
- Chops, slices and cuts into strips
- Keep it sharp and hand-dry it
Illustrative imageTeakhaus Teak Cutting Board
Stable base for chopping
- Stable surface for chopping
- Gentle on your knife edge
- Hand-wash and let it dry
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