Plum Fennel Iced Tea

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Put tea bags in a quart-size glass measure or heatproof bowl.

   Step 2

   In a saucepan brings 4 cups water just to a boil and pour over tea bags. Steep tea 5 minutes and remove tea bags. Cool tea and chill, covered, until cold, about 1 hour.

   Step 3

   While tea is cooling, in saucepan stir together fennel seeds, plums, and remaining 2 cups water and boil 5 minutes. Strain mixture through a sieve into a heatproof pitcher, pressing hard on solids. Cool mixture and chill, covered, until cold, about 1 hour.

   Step 4

   Stir in tea and syrup. Serve tea over ice in tall glasses and garnish with plum slices.

2. To make simple syrup:

   Step 5

   In a saucepan bring sugar and water to a boil, stirring, and boil until sugar is completely dissolved. Let syrup cool and chill, covered. Syrup may be made 2 weeks ahead and chilled, covered. Makes about 2 cups.