Hawaii has changed Iced Tea for me. I’ve never really been into it but now I’ve developed a thing for iced green tea and Plantation Iced Tea. Like an Arnold Palmer made with pineapple juice instead of lemonade, the best Plantation Iced Tea I’ve come across is from Diamond Head Grill on Oahu. It’s slightly sweet but more exciting than regular iced tea thanks to lemongrass and cinnamon and this is my shot at recreating the Lemongrass and Cinnamon Hawaiian Plantation Iced Tea recipe, so I can enjoy it even when I’m not on Oahu.
Now, go stock up on all your cooking essentials, then head into the kitchen, make this, and share it with us by tagging @saltandwind and #swsociety on social!
Lemongrass and Cinnamon Hawaiian Plantation Iced Tea Recipe
Like an Arnold Palmer but with pineapple juice and cinnamon, the best version of Plantation Iced Tea we've had in Hawai'i is from Diamond Head Market & Grill.
Ingredients
- 4 quarts (16 cups) ice water
- 10 bags black tea
- 1 lemongrass stalk
- 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
- 2 bunches fresh mint leaves (about 2 1/2 ounces) divided
- 1/2 cup ice cubes plus more for serving
- 4 cups chilled 100% pure pineapple juice (no sugar added)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 4 limes)
Instructions
- Bring water to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat (don’t let it boil), about 5 minutes. Add tea, cover partially, and let steep until the flavor is stronger than desired but not bitter, about 8 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, trim the ends off the lemongrass, and cut the stalk into 2-inch pieces. Cut each 2-inch piece in half lengthwise then bruise by lightly hitting with the back of a wooden spoon.
- Once the tea has steeped, discard the tea, add lemongrass, cinnamon, and mint (minus about 6 to 8 stems you’ll want to reserve for garnish) and let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Add the ice to the tea, then stir in the pineapple juice, and sugar or honey. Place in the refrigerator to cool completely, about 2 hours.
- Once the tea is cold, discard the cinnamon, lemongrass, and mint and stir in the lime juice. Taste and adjust with more lime juice or sugar as desired. Serve iced tea over ice and garnish each glass with a sprig of mint.
PERSONAL NOTES
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 109kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 1gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 28mgPotassium: 181mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 53IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @saltandwind or tag #swsociety!
