Apple Barley Evening Path

Roasted barley tea has a toasted, slightly earthy flavor that apple juice makes softer and fruitier. Ginger adds warmth at the end without needing much sweetness. Use a normal-strength brew so the apple doesn't disappear beneath a very dark infusion. Thin ginger slices are easy to remove when the flavor suits you. This is a fuller-tasting alternative to plain herbal tea, with a gently roasted finish. Barley contains gluten, which matters if you're choosing ingredients around that restriction.

Ingredients

• 1 tea bag Roasted barley tea
• 6 oz Water
• 2 oz Apple juice
• 2 slice Fresh ginger, thinly sliced

Make it

1. Prepare any fruit as listed, removing stones, cores and hard stems.
2. Brew the tea in the measured water according to its packet, then remove the bag.
3. Whisk any nut or seed butter into a spoonful of the hot tea first. Add it back with the fruit, juice, spices or other listed flavorings. Warm gently in a small pan for 3–4 minutes if needed to soften fruit; do not boil.
4. Strain if preferred, removing whole peel, herb or ginger pieces. Serve at a comfortable drinking temperature.

Benefits

Barley tea · caffeine-free with apple juice and ginger

The barley tea and apple juice and ginger combination offers a toasted-grain aroma without caffeine—a useful option when you want another brewed drink later.

Apple juice beside barley tea and ginger

Using 2 oz of apple juice adds a familiar orchard flavor to the warm barley tea and ginger, bringing aroma as well as taste to this combination.

Barley contains gluten.