Traditional Thai Iced Tea With Star Anise - cooking recipe

Ingredients

8 star anise pods, finely crushed
1 teaspoon orange blossom water
1 vanilla pod (or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract)
1 pinch ground cloves
1 pinch ground cinnamon
1/2 cup loose chinese black tea leaves
1 cup granulated sugar
3 drops red food coloring (optional)
half-and-half or sweetened condensed milk

Preparation

Bring 1/2 gallon of cold water to a boil. Add 8 finely crushed star anise pods, 1 teaspoon orange blossom water, the scrapings of 1 vanilla pod or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, a pinch each of ground cloves and ground cinnamon, and 1/2 cup Chinese black tea leaves.
Boil for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and stir in 1 cup sugar and a few drops of red food coloring (optional, though traditional). Cover, steeping until tepid.
Strain & place in the refriderator for a few hours to really chill.
Pour the tea over plenty of crushed ice. Top with half-and-half or sweetened condensed milk.