Roasted Apple & Rosemary Tisane
The week following a holiday always seems to require extra effort to get the household routine back in order and running smoothly.
It was lovely to slow down over Thanksgiving, play game after game of chess with the boys – their current fixation – or putter in the dappled yard while the chickens bustle about in the fallen leaves. Getting back to school and work, however, was a little bumpy. By mid-week I was feeling overwhelmed with everything on my plate – and I couldn’t ignore the tickle in my throat that indicated I may be coming down with something.
I thought about how I could jostle my calendar to make it all work, but then, over a quiet cup of tea, I decided to slow right down. Instead of jotting yet another to-do list, I took a few moments for myself, something that a mother who works from home seldom does. There is no lunch hour, no scheduled breaks, and certainly no quitting time when your work and your life overlap so closely.
Outside it was raining, but there was still a warm light falling on my kitchen counter. I reached for a handful of apples, picked a sprig of rosemary from the pot next to the sink, and unhurriedly worked to infuse a jar of apple tea. With the first pour, its fragrant vapors wrapped me up in a warm hug and my shoulders relaxed ever so slightly.
The honey soothed my throat and the apple infusion was pronounced, yet subtle, in the most charming way. I stood at the counter, looking out the window at the wind battering the trees and the carpet of leaves forming below them, and I drank every last drop.
In taking a moment to still myself, my outlook on the week changed. I was ready to move forward, steady and strong, and I instinctively knew what to cut out and what to focus my efforts on.
How to make a Roasted Apple & Rosemary Tisane
Three apples are all it takes to get this tisane started; I used Cortland, which gave a soft blush hue to the infusion. Wash them well, and place them in a little pan to roast.
Roast them at 350F for about 45 minutes until their skins begin to wrinkle and the juices begin to seep out. If you can double up on oven duty and tuck the apples into the oven while something else is roasting, all the better.
Cut apples into quarters and place them in a clean glass jar. Don’t worry about the core or seeds; they will be strained out later.
If any apple juice accumulated in the pan, tip it into the jar. Add a sprig of rosemary now as well.
Boil a kettle and fill the jar with hot water. Cover with a lid and let steep in a warm place for one hour. Remove the rosemary (unless you like a strong infusion of the herb, but too much and it can taste soapy), cover again and steep for another hour.
Strain tea into a cup and sweeten with a touch of honey. I like my tea steaming hot, and if you’re like me, you’ll want to reheat it slightly as it will have cooled considerably. Then float an apple slice on top, and find a quiet place to savor your cup and reflect on the day.
While my affections for apple cider haven’t changed, this mild apple tea is a completely different beverage, and one that I will be experimenting with further. If this pesky sore throat continues, I will be adding a little ginger to my next infusion, and perhaps a splash of apple whisky, too.
Roasted Apple Rosemary Tisane
Ingredients
- 3 apples
- 1 small sprig rosemary
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Wash apples well, and place them in a small pan to roast. Roast apples for about 45 minutes until their skins begin to wrinkle and the juices begin to seep out. Meanwhile, boil a kettle.
- Cut apples into quarters and place them in a clean glass jar. If any apple juice accumulated in the pan, tip it into the jar.
- Add the sprig of rosemary and fill the jar with hot water. Cover with a lid and let steep in a warm place for one hour.
- Remove the rosemary (unless you like a strong infusion of the herb, but too much and it can taste soapy), cover again and steep for another hour.
- Strain tea into a cup and sweeten with a touch of honey. You may want to reheat it as it will have cooled considerably.
- Float an apple slice on top, then find a quiet place to savor your cup.
Notes
Nutrition
Do you have a favorite fall beverage?
Love this, Aimee! Sounds so soothing and comforting!
It certainly was for me, Sommer. Wish you could join me for a cup.
This sounds so comforting!! I bet it is awesome on a cold day!
It is! I’m bringing it in a take-out mug for cold walks to school. 🙂
What a pretty drink! I like the use of the roasted apples!
Sounds like the perfect pick me up tea. I bet the apple flavor tastes fabulous!
Thanks, Melanie. It’s subtle, but so lovely!
This is perfect! I really do need this today. What a gorgeous, comforting recipe. I’m ready for a new outlook as we head into the weekend. Hugs to you!
Enjoy, Allison. I hope you find it as soothing as I did. Have a lovely weekend.
We are all under the weather in this family, I think a beautiful cup of this would do wonders to soothe us! gorgeous tisane Aimee!
Sorry to hear that. This tea truly cleared up me sore throat. Making another batch today with ginger. Give it a try, okay, and feel better soon.
Is everyone in North America sick this week? You’d be an international hero if you started distributing this to banish our collective sniffles and coughs!
Feel better soon, Casey. You should try a cup of this tea in the morning, along with your leftovers. 😉
So, so gorgeous. Might take this on a nature walk next time instead of hot cocoa or tea. Thanks!
Good idea. I’m packing a thermos to bring to a relative in the hospital. It’s good for all ailments!
That is super thoughtful. Going to have to see if our local garden centre has any rosemary plants left – for some reason, I didn’t plant any. Going to pick up garlic, anyway!
This sounds soothing and restful, and I can just imagine how good the house smells when the apples are roasting. One of my favorite fall drinks is hot milk with a sprinkling of pumpkin pie spice. I like to use whole milk because of the natural sweetness it has when it is heated. I’ve also tried it with just a few drops of hazelnut syrup when I want to add more depth and sweetness.
Your spiced milk sounds lovely. I bet my boys would like that. They are always trying to swipe the foam off of my lattés. 😉
as always…this is such a great idea- looks yummy!
have you seen the anti-food blogger Martha Stewart video that ‘chatting at the sky’ posted? What do you think?
I didn’t see Emily’s post, but of course I’ve seen the clip and Martha’s comments.
I’m actually not bothered by them at all (and the unprofessional response from bloggers has been way worse, imho).
She does make a point, in her awkward Martha way. I’d love to invite her for dinner, show off some of my culinary background and discuss my method for recipe testing. Maybe it would restore some of her faith in blogging.
What did you think?
Aimee – this is seriously GORGEOUS looking and I can just taste this! I hope you feel better – I know what to reach for next time my throat may be bothering me!
Thanks so much, Julie. Already on the mend.
Oh, this is so perfect for relaxing–I can’t wait to try this.
Beautiful photos. The colour palette and set up are so welcoming and peaceful. Along with your beautifully written words, I feel like I’ve had a sip of this tea just by reading your post. 🙂
this is the most beautiful cocktail ever!!
I think maybe you’ve had a cocktail or two!! *wink wink* This isn’t one, but just may be a good hangover cure. Lol.
Aimée,
What a lovely, soothing read. I think I relaxed my shoulders after the first sentence or two!
This sounds like a great idea for an autumn drink, and good for the whole family to partake. We got flu shots earlier in the week and it knocked me down a bit but the kids seem fine. I hope you are on the mend.
Thanks!
What size jar did you use for brewing the tisane in? I used a quart jar and I did not get much in the way of apple tea.
Hi Mia,
I used a quart jar, but the apples were small. It yielded enough for tea for two. That’s it.
Mine were bigger. I just strained out the tisane and heated more water and let them sit again for another hour. It worked out fine and I made more today using a half gallon jar and 4 larger apples. It is very delicious!
This sounds just perfect for this time of year Aimee. And a great reason to take the time to sit down and relax!
Thanks, Jen. It helps if one has an overabundance with apples, that’s for sure. 😉
What a pretty drink! I bet it hits the spot on cool fall mornings, even you aren’t feeling under the weather.
That’s right. And our fall mornings are *just* starting to get cold. We’ve been lucky so far, but something tells me snow is just around the corner.
What a beautiful tisane! Simple and lovely 🙂
This is such a beautiful fall beverage…must try asap! Love the way you styled it as well 🙂
I love the beautiful blush color of this drink. It’s simply gorgeous and looks like exactly what I need to make myself take a moment to relax for a few minutes. The day my kitchen renovation is over (or at least my oven is back in place), I’m making this.