Christmas Pineapple Lemon Iced Tea

Let me speak for myself: I find much consolation after the midnight Christmas mass to be with a community of Jesuits who are there for the noche buena. You see, when the 9 Simbanggabi or Misa de Gallo masses end, when the Christmas parties have all been done, and the hordes of people leave the church for their families, the priest comes back to an empty room. And it can get terribly cold and lonely. But thank God, I have my Jesuit community to spend Christmas with.

Though Christmas nights are cold and chilly, and a hot drink is called for, I still prefer cold drinks. I got a text message from Angel, a student of UP: "Tonight, we take our weary lives and our broken world to the manger, to our hope and joy: our God who is always young, who makes all things new. Merry Christmas!" In terms of beverage, a pineapple-lemon iced tea can do wonders to weary lives and broken worlds. This iced tea is indeed refreshing, young, and happy: yes, it does remind you of summer --- without the heat! And I guess, when all sorts of fruits are offered during the Christmas masses, we just have to find ways to use them.

5 bags black tea
6 cups boiling water
3 cups pineapple juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup honey or caramelized brown sugar
12 ice cubes
1 cup soda water or Sprite/7-Up
4 orange slices or slice of pineapple (optional) or sprigs of mint

Place tea in a large teapot and add boiling water. Let stand 5 minutes to infuse. Add caramelized brown sugar or honey. Stir until fully dissolved.

Place pineapple juice, lemon juice and ice cubes in food processor or blender and process until ice is crushed and mixture is smooth. Add tea into blender. Process until fully mixed.

To serve, pour into tall glasses until two-thirds full, top with soda water and serve immediately. Garnish with orange slices or a slice of pineapple or a sprig of mint. You can add ice cubes (best if it is summer!).

Serves 6.