NEW YORK Dried mountain sage, all spice, clove, cinnamon, dried orange peel is blended with a chamomile, sunflower and peppermint tea in the Molyvos House Blend Ice Tea from Molyvos in New York. After being brought to a strong boil, the tea is covered and allowed to steep for about 12 minutes before being strained and cooled to serve. The drink is brought out to the table in a pitcher, which is priced at $5, and then can be poured into a highball glass garnished with a cinnamon stick, a sprig of mint and a wedge of lemon.
Chef/partner Jim Bostacos explained that sage teas are common in Greek cuisine. "Sage tea is very medicinal. It is used for digestive purposes and for treating upset stomachs…but standing on its own, just the flavor of the sage isn't appealing to everybody."
So the addition of spices such as cinnamon and clove was to "put more Greek accents" on the tea as well as making it more appealing to the masses.