The festive season has arrived bringing with it family, friends, and the hot South African summer! Hosting over the holidays can become quite expensive, especially with food and drinks to accommodate, but fortunately, there is a way to keep everyone refreshed and healthy this festive season without breaking the budget.

“This really is such a special time of year, but it can become unnecessarily stressful when the costs of the festive season start to add up,” commented Candice Sessions, Laager Marketing Manager. “We’ve called on our well-loved Laager Rooibos ambassadors, @withlovefromthetwins Lebo and Tebo Ndala, to share some refreshing recipes for the festive season that won’t break the bank. All of these recipes are made with the Laager Cranberry & Wild Cherry Rooibos which is a particularly festive, fruity flavour for this time of year.  The punch and iced tea can be enjoyed as cool beverages, or even frozen as ice lollies for a festive treat!”

Lebo Ndala noted that for her and Tebo, Christmas is ultimately all about family and that’s the most important thing: “We hope that you remember to cherish those around you, whether you have little or much, be joyful in this season, and share meals and iced teas together.”

Tebo added: “We are wishing everyone a beautiful and safe festive season and remember that you can dream new dreams in the new year!”

Lebo and Tebo’s Laager Cranberry & Wild Cherry Rooibos Festive Recipes

Recipe #1: Holiday Spice Laager Rooibos Tea Blend

Ingredients:

• 4-6 Laager Cranberry & Wild Cherry Rooibos tea bags
• ¼ cup of cardamon pods
• ½ cup of whole star anise
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• ½ cup of dried orange peel
• ½ cup of dried rose hips

Method:

In a teapot/jar, add all the spices and tea and fill it with boiling water. Leave to brew as strong as you like.Serve with honey.Makes 4-6 cups of tea.

Recipe#2: Laager Rooibos Fruit Punch

Ingredients:

• 4 peaches, ripe
• 2 cups of strawberries
• 1 ½ cups of cranberry juice
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 cup of ice
• 5 cups Laager Cranberry & Wild Cherry Rooibos Tea, strongly brewed and cooled

Mint to garnish

Method:

Slice the peaches into wedges and cut the strawberries in half.Place the peaches, strawberries and the rest of the ingredients into a pitcher and stir until the sugar has dissolved.Keep in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.

Recipe #3: Laager Rooibos Pomegranate Iced Tea

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of pomegranate juice
• 1 cup of cooled Laager Cranberry & Wild Cherry Rooibos tea
• ½ cup of Laager Cranberry & Wild Cherry Rooibos tea ice cubes (pour cooled tea into an ice tray and add pomegranate rubies if desired. Set in the freezer)

Pomegranate rubies, to serve (optional)

Method:

Mix all the ingredients in a jug. Keep chilled until ready to serve.Double or treble the quantities for a bigger batch.

The Laager Cranberry & Wild Cherry Rooibos is available at most Checkers, Spar and Pick n Pay stores, as well as on the Joekels online store: www.joekels.co.za.

Get more info on Laager Rooibos, including some fantastic Rooibos-infused recipes, by visiting www.joekels.co.za or @LaagerRooibosTea on Facebook and Instagram. For more competitions, as well as recipe ideas and health tips, follow @withlovefromthetwins and @LaagerRooibosTea on Facebook and Instagram.