Iced Licorice Root and Orange Cooler
Cold-brewed licorice root with fresh orange and a sprig of mint — a refreshing, naturally sweet iced infusion that needs no added sugar.
Licorice root's intense natural sweetness makes it an ideal candidate for cold-brewing — a slow, gentle steep in cold water draws out its sweet, anise-adjacent character without the slightly heavier edge that can show up when it is brewed very hot and concentrated.
Orange is licorice's classic companion. The two flavors have been combined since at least medieval Europe in confections and cordials, and the citrus brightness keeps this iced cooler from feeling flat or one-dimensional.
Cold-brewing overnight is well worth the wait. The result is smoother and rounder than a hot-brewed-and-chilled version, with the sweetness coming through clean rather than syrupy.
This is a good warm-weather alternative to sugary iced teas or sodas — since licorice root supplies its own sweetness, you can serve it completely unsweetened and still get a satisfying, refreshing glass.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp dried licorice root (cut and sifted) or 3 tea bags
- 4 cups cold water
- 1 orange, sliced into rounds
- Fresh mint sprigs
- Ice cubes
How to make it
- 1Combine licorice root and half the orange slices in a large jar with cold water.
- 2Refrigerate and steep for 8–12 hours.
- 3Strain through a fine sieve, pressing gently to extract the last bit of flavor.
- 4Serve over ice with the remaining fresh orange slices and a sprig of mint.
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