Cardamom Plum Iced Tea

To make syrup:

Slice plums in half, remove pits, and slice each plum into 6 wedges.

Gently crush cardamom pods with the side of a chef's knife, mortar and pestle, or the bottom of a sauté pan. You want to lightly crush the inner seeds so they will release their flavor more easily.

Add 1 1/4 cups of water and 1 cup of sugar to a small sauce pot. Turn heat on low and whisk until sugar is dissolved.

Add spices and sliced plums to the pot. Gently simmer for 20-30 minutes.

Remove from heat, and cool the syrup for a few minutes before straining through a fine mesh sieve. Store in a squeeze bottle or sealable container.

To make iced tea:

Bring 3 cups of water to a boil. (Keep 2 cups of cool water on the side.)

In a large pitcher, steep tea bags in hot water for 3 minutes.

Remove tea bags, add ice cubes and cool water. Store in refrigerator to keep cool and chill further.

To make one serving of flavored iced tea:

Combine 2-4 tablespoons of syrup with 2 cups of ice tea. Stir until syrup is dissolved.

Serve in a glass with ice, and garnish with slices of plum.