Moroccan mint tea, playfully referred to as Moroccan whiskey. Yes, Moroccan whiskey. Now, between the tasty watermelon margaritas that packed a punch (cough) and Moroccan wine tasting with Maryam's hubby Chris, accompanied by gorgeous gourmet canapes made by kitchen prodigy Chantal, there's always a silvered pot of fresh mint tea brewing on the stove at Peacock Pavilions. Served all day long, after every meal, and with every conversation.
Et voila, a traditional recipe, made the old-fashioned way with gunpowder green tea, a fresh bundle of mint + their sprigs, with a hefty lump of sugar.
Imbibe and enjoy.
Moroccan Mint Tea Recipe
1 large handful fresh mint leaves
6 tablespoons of loose gunpowder green tea (if you're ever in Morocco, locals swear by the brand Sultan - be sure to stock up)
1 liter of hot water
1/4 to 1/2 cup of sugar (they don't skimp on the sugar here)
After you bring your water to a boil, pour a splash of your boiled water into a clean teapot. Give it a good swirl, rinse and toss out the water. You're essentially clean and heating the pot simultaneously.
Add 1 teaspoon of loose tea for every 6 ounces of hot water you use (just like coffee!), and then add your 6 ounces of boiled water to every cup of tea. Let your loose tea and your boiled water steep for a 1-2 minutes.
Swish the pot to wash and rinse the loose tea and then pour out only the water. Add your bundle of mint leaves. Add your lump of sugar. Fill your teapot with 2-3 cups of boiling water. Leave the tea to steep 5 minutes or more. [If you have a Moroccan teapot or a heatproof teapot, set the pot over low heat and bring to a low simmer. Remove from heat so it doesn't boil over, and a few more minutes.]
Pour one glass of tea into a your teacup or Moroccan tea glass, and then pour it back into the teapot. Do this several times. It helps dissolve the sugar.
Now, here's where some finesse comes in. Carefully pour the tea from a high distance. Doing this will help create that thin layer of foam on top. That's what you're looking for here - that effervescent foam. Make sure the tea pellet stay inside the teapot, pour the tea 2/3 full in the glass to help the aroma fully kick in. It's undeniably intoxicating.
(image: natalie for thetravelstylist)