Giada De Laurentiis - Apple and Mint Punch

Apple and Mint Punch

ingredients

5 1/2 cups


Mint Simple Syrup 1 cup waterwater1 ½ cup sugarsugar½ 1 packed cup fresh mint leavesfresh mint leaves1
2 cups waterwater2 4 green tea bagsgreen tea bags4 1 ½ cups (100 percent) apple juice (recommended: Martinelli's)apple juice1 ½ 1 cup Mint Simple Syrup, recipe followsmint simple syrup1 ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)lemon juice¼ 1 cup sparkling water, chilledsparkling water1 Iceice1

instructions


Mint Simple Syrup Add the water and sugar to a small saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add the mint leaves. Allow the syrup to cool, about 20 minutes. Strain before using.
In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn off the heat, add the tea bags and let steep for 6 minutes. Remove the tea bags and cool the tea to room temperature, about 45 minutes. Pour the cooled tea into a large pitcher. Add the apple juice, Mint Simple Syrup and lemon juice. Refrigerate until ready to serve. To serve, add the sparkling water and pour the punch into ice-filled glasses. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs, if desired.

Mint Simple Syrup

Add the water and sugar to a small saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add the mint leaves. Allow the syrup to cool, about 20 minutes. Strain before using.

In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn off the heat, add the tea bags and let steep for 6 minutes. Remove the tea bags and cool the tea to room temperature, about 45 minutes. Pour the cooled tea into a large pitcher. Add the apple juice, Mint Simple Syrup and lemon juice. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

To serve, add the sparkling water and pour the punch into ice-filled glasses. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs, if desired.