The 5 Best Iced Tea Recipes for Summer
June 16, 2020
Iced tea is a refreshing and delicious way to stay hydrated on a summer afternoon. Once you've got the basic idea of how to cold brew tea, it's a lot of fun coming up with your own flavor combinations and twists.
A few general tips and pointers:
- Use spring water (or filtered water if spring isn't possible) as tap and chemically purified water will alter the taste.
- The water should be room temperature or cool to start.
- Use about a liter of water to 10 g of loose leaf (or four bags).
- Pour the water over the tea leaves or bags and then set in the fridge for 8 - 12 hours (or the lazy way, is to tip a bit out of the top of the water bottle and stuff the tea and bags in the original bottle, then put the lid back on.
- Fruits such as berries, citrus and kiwi and herbs such as mint and basil are excellent additions to ice tea. It's fun to try different combinations.
- Good quality teas are smooth and have a natural hint of sweetness so don't need sweetening, but if you prefer a good Southern-style sweet tea try sweetening with your favorite honey.
- Always keep chilled and serve over ice.
- For after 5pm, enjoying spiked versions with vodka, gin and sparkling wine.
Simple Lemon and Mint Iced Tea
This is the recipe that first introduced me to iced tea (I'm not really a fan of the bottled stuff) but this recipe of the signature iced tea served at the Zealong Tea House in New Zealand turned me into an iced tea fan.
Infuse four Bags or 10 g of Zealong Black or Breakfast tea in 1 liter of Spring Water for 10 - 12 hours (over night in the fridge works well).
Remove the tea bags or leaves and add the juice of half a lemon. Serve on ice and garnish with a slice of lemon and sprig of mint.
It's so smooth and refreshing it doesn't need sweetening, but if you're a sweet tooth, stir in a spoonful of New Zealand honey.
Rose, Strawberry, Lime and Mint Iced Tea
Brew three to four bags of Lady Gatsby (Rose and Manuka) Zealong tea in a bottle of spring water (with a bit tipped out of the top) for about 10 hours in the fridge.
Slice limes and strawberries and pack in glasses with ice, pour over the cold brew and serve with mint.
Use the same recipe for an adult version by brewing the tea in a bottle of Rose first.
Lemon and Ginger Iced Tea
Add four bags of Sweet Amber (lemon and ginger) teabags to 1.5 liters of soda water.
Leave to brew in the fridge over night.
Serve over ice with a slices of lemon or orange.
Go on... add a dash of whisky if you want.
Basil, Oolong and Lime Iced Tea
This one is so refreshing and light with a bit of sweetness from the basil and tang from the lime.
Brew 10 gm of Zealong Pure Oolong loose leaf in a liter of spring water over night.
Strain out leaves and serve over ice with a slice of lime and a sprig of basil.
I could drink this all afternoon and it also goes well with BBQ.
Rose G & Tea
Brew four bags of Zealong Lady Gatsby (Rose, Cinnamon and Manuka) tea bags in 1.5 liters of tonic over night in the fridge.
Mix 2 portions of Gin with 5 parts of the tea tonic mix (or alter if desired to taste).
Serve over ice with a slice of lemon. It's as pretty as it is drinkable!
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