Ingredients

Makes about 7 cups.

　　3 orange pekoe tea bags

　　6 cups water

　　1 1/2 tablespoons fennel seeds

　　4 plums (about 1 pound), pitted and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

　　

For 1 cup chilled simple syrup, or to taste:

1 1/3 cups sugar

　　1 1/4 cups water

　　Garnish: plum slices

　　

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.

　　

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.