Fruity Tea in the Instant Pot
This recipe is very versatile! Switch out the fruit. Add herbs and or spices. It produces a concentrate of sorts, so be aware that it’s like rocket powered tea. Adding cream makes this iced tea an extra decadent treat.
One Example:
- 2 apples peeled, quartered
- 5 tea bags, such as Pure Leaf black tea with vanilla
- 6 cups filtered water
- pinch of baking soda, optional - helps cut the bitterness
- Maple syrup or honey, to taste
- cream, optional - Plant Based!
Add water to pot of pressure cooker, set to reduce, and bring to a simmer.
Once simmering, add the tea bags, apple quarters and baking soda, if using, to a steamer basket in the Instant Pot.
Close lid, and valves, cook at medium pressure for 5 minutes. Quick steam release.
Strain the tea into a large container, add sweetener 1 tbsp at a time, tasting in between. Tea will be a bit bitter when hot, so be cautious not to over-sweeten!
Chill in the fridge for a couple hours.
Serve over ice, and add cream if desired.
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| This infused water was made from an under-ripe mango, strawberries and mint. |
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| The juice turned out a pale pink. I thought the taste might turn out too weak, but it was really good. It would have probably been even better if the mango had been ripe. |
Serving Suggestion
If serving infused water for guests in a clear container, add some extra (uncooked) fruit to the container. The cooked fruit loses color and becomes mushy. It doesn't look all that appetizing.
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| photo found on Pinterest |
Infused Water Combination Ideas
Make infused water in the Instant Pot - 5 minutes high pressure, quick release. Thats it. The combinations are endless.CUCUMBER LIME
1 c cucumber
Juice and zest of 1 lime
MANGO STRAWBERRY LIME
1 mango
5-6 strawberries
Juice and zest of 1 lime
MANGO MINT
1 mango
mint leaves
LEMON BLUEBERRY
1 c blueberries
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
RASPBERRY PEACH
1/2 c raspberries
1 c peaches
APPLE CINNAMON
1 c apples
2 cinnamon sticks
ORANGE BASIL
1 c orange slices and zest
5 large basil leaves
STRAWBERRY MINT
1 c strawberries
1/4 c mint leaves
BLUEBERRY ORANGE
1 c blueberries
Juice and zest of one orange
Place the fruit into a steamer basket and set the steamer basket in the Instant Pot (basket not required, but it makes getting the fruit out easier).
Cover the fruit with water, about 5 cups.
Set Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 5 minutes.
Once it’s done, quick pressure release it and pour into a pitcher to use as concentrate or ice cube trays to freeze for later.
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| What a great tip! You can easily remove the flesh of the mango by using a jar, glass or cup. Source: Courtney's Sweets |
MORE Infused Water Recipes
Clean Eating and Detox
- Strawberries, lime (or lemon) and fresh mint. Mint is especially useful for helping with skin tone and digestion.
- Watermelon, cucumber, and mint. Watermelon and cucumber are excellent sources of antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.
- Mint, strawberries, and watermelon. Not only makes a beautiful presentation but is a very tasty detox. Kids seem to especially like this combination.
Appetite & Blood Sugar Support
- Cucumber, strawberries, and kiwi. Kiwi has some amazing health benefits. In addition to curbing appetite, kiwi is very high in vitamin C, so it’s fabulous for immune support. It’s also very high in antioxidants. This is helpful for clear skin and anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Cucumber, lemon, and lime. In addition to the above, cucumber also helps to aid digestion.
- Ginger, cucumber, and lemon. Ginger is helpful with any digestion issues and helps provide that appetite support keep the snacking at bay.
- Lemon, lime, and green tea. Work well together for a great taste and health benefits.
Lower Blood Pressure
In addition to a lower salt diet, these combinations of fruit infused water can also be helpful in lowering blood pressure. Though some of these are not fruits you normally might eat, they are excellent as far as taste goes.- Kiwi, guava, and passion fruit. Guavas improve the sodium and potassium balance of the body, thereby regulating blood pressure in patients with hypertension.
- Pomegranate, cherry, and kiwi. Pomegranates have amazing antioxidant benefits. Also, they are very heart-friendly and known to help lower cancer risks. You do have to be careful though as they can affect some medications like grapefruit does so be sure to double-check this one with your doctor. Additionally, beware when using as the juice can stain fingers, clothes and even your countertops.
Metabolism Boosting
I always feel like whatever I’m doing is never enough to keep my metabolism hopping. Here’s a way to help boost your metabolism and get your daily water in at the same time.Bonus tip: Guava fruit is also known to be a metabolism booster so adding it to any of the below combinations can give your metabolism an extra boost.
- Green tea, mint, and lime. Green tea has a lot of weight loss benefits, and metabolism boosting is one of them.
- Cinnamon, green tea, and strawberries. A tasty, healthy combination.
- Mint and lemon. Besides aiding in digestion, mint, and lemon together is perfect for a metabolism pick me up.
Immune Boosting and Digestion
Anything with ginger in it will typically help with digestion. The citrus fruits are all great for immune boosting qualities.
- Lime, orange, and lemon. This combination is fantastic for immune defense and lemon is also good to aid in digestion and heartburn prevention.
- Pear, ginger, and a cinnamon stick. Not only is this very pretty in your glass but cinnamon is a great metabolism booster. It’s also known to help with blood sugar control.