A Most Excellent Raspberry Iced Tea

• 2 quarts cold water
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup loose green tea leaves
• 2 cups fresh raspberries
• OTHER ADDITIONS
• 1 limes or 1 lemon, sliced thinly
• 1 vanilla bean, halved & scraped
• 1 tablespoon peppercorn
• 1 tablespoon allspice berry
• 1 whole star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick

1. In a 4qt pot, combine water & sugar. This is the time to add a vanilla bean or your whole spice of choice. Bring to a boil.
2. Turn off heat & add tea leaves. Cover & let stand to steep & cool an hour or so.
3. When somewhat cooled, add fresh raspberries. Continue to let steep/cool a couple more hours.
4. Mash raspberries to be sure all juice is extracted. Pour through a fine mesh strainer, pushing on solids to get all the liquid, into a 2qt. pitcher. Add lemon or lime slices, if desired.
5. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.

cold water, granulated sugar, loose green tea leaves, fresh raspberries, additions, lemon, vanilla bean, peppercorn, allspice, star anise, cinnamon

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/a-most-excellent-raspberry-iced-tea-432170 (may not work)