Nothing beats a fresh batch of iced tea during hot the summer months. These cool and refreshing teas pair perfectly with warm, sunny days, and are sure to keep you cool all season long. Whether you’re looking for something to enjoy in the comfort of your air conditioned home or cooling off in the heat during summertime gatherings, these ten iced tea recipes are guaranteed to help you stay cool this year, one sip at a time.
1. Lemonade Iced Tea
Two classic summer beverages are combined to make this delicious lemonade iced tea with mint leaves for an added twist.
Ingredients:
3 cups water
2 family-size tea bags
1 (1-oz.) package fresh mint leaves (about 1 cup loosely packed)
1/2 cup sugar
4 cups cold water
1 (6-oz.) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
Garnish: fresh citrus slices
Directions:
Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a 2-qt. saucepan. Remove from heat, add tea bags, and stir in fresh mint. Cover and steep 10 minutes.
Remove and discard tea bags and mint. Stir in sugar until dissolved.
Pour tea into a 3-qt. container, and stir in 4 cups cold water and lemonade concentrate. Serve over ice. Garnish, if desired.
2. Chamomile Strawberry Orange Cold Brewed Tea
This refreshingly fruity chamomile tea is going to be your new go-to summer drink. Want to take it up a notch? Fresh raspberries make for an excellent fruity addition, or try a lemon peel to boost the citrus aromatics of this heavenly hot weather beverage.
Ingredients:
8 chamomile tea bags
12 cups filtered water, at room temperature
2 small juice oranges (thin-skinned), peeled, cut into slices, and seeded
24 large strawberries, halved
4 teaspoons honey
4 teaspoons hot water
Directions:
Place 1 tea bag and 1 1/2 cups water in each of 8 pint-size canning jars with lids. Place 2 orange slices and 6 strawberry halves in each jar. Cover with lids; refrigerate 12 to 24 hours.
Remove tea bags from jars. Combine honey and 4 teaspoons hot water. Divide honey mixture evenly among jars (about 1 scant teaspoon in each).
3. Pineapple-Basil Tea
Get tropical this summer with this pineapple and basil infused black tea. You’ll only need a couple of ingredients to brew this flavor-packed tropical inspired tea that’s sure to be a hit at barbecues and family gatherings all summer long. After all, it’s not summer without fresh pineapple!
Ingredients:
2 cups chopped fresh pineapple
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup water
3 cups water
8 regular-size black tea bags
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
6 cups cold water
Directions:
Bring chopped fresh pineapple, sugar, and 1 cup water to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring often, 10 minutes. Cool slightly; process in a blender. Pour through a wire-mesh strainer into a 1-gal. container. Bring 3 cups water to a boil over medium-high heat in a saucepan. Add tea bags; boil 1 minute. Remove from heat; cover and steep 10 minutes. Discard tea bags, and stir tea into pineapple mixture. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 6 cups cold water. Serve over ice.
