Tazo Passion Tea FTW!

My favorite way to get my water in lately is with Tazo Passion Tea. I buy the iced tea bags from Amazon because I can't find them locally. I have the regular size tea bags that I was able to purchase at my local grocery, however it takes pretty many of them when I'm making a half gallon pitcher of tea! The iced tea bags are like family size bags and I only need one to make 64 ounces of Passion Tea. You can also buy the Tazo Passion Tea premade and chilled in a 42 ounce bottle at Walmart and other grocery stores, but it is presweetened with regular sugar and as bariatric patients, we know we're not supposed to drink our calories. Plus it runs about $3.50 for the premade bottle. I found that by making it at home with Skinny Syrup's Simple Syrup, I not only can make it bariatric friendly (sugar-free) but it costs less than a dollar to make a 64 ounce pitcher!

This is perfect for making a Passion Tea Latte, which is similar to a Starbucks Pink Drink. I've found that the heavy cream will separate because of the citric acid in the tea, so I've been meaning to try fat free half and half to see if it works better. I mostly drink my Passion Tea plain without the cream. It's naturally decaf because it's herbal!

Tazo Passion Tea

• 1 Tazo Iced Passion Herbal Tea Filter Bag

• 1/4 cup (or to taste) Skinny Mixes Skinny Simple Syrup (use code KATEMINUSWEIGHT at checkout to save 10% on your order!)

Brew tea bag according to instructions. I usually make with 32 ounces of boiling water, let it steep until it's cool enough to handle, then add 32 ounces of ice water. Pour into a pitcher and add the Skinny Simple Syrup, mix well. Serve chilled or over ice! This will count towards your daily water intake as there is no caffeine and it is sugar free.

*For a creamy, latte type version, add a tablespoon or two of heavy cream or half and half to your glass and mix well. Another great treat is to add freeze dried strawberries to the latte (only do this if you are more than three months post-op because of the strawberry seeds). This is very comparable to a Starbucks Pink Drink!