Summer is finally here and for those of you who are big fans of sipping ice tea when the heat strikes outside, we have the best new and exotic ice tea recipes to cool you off. These recipes will be a winner with everyone, bask in the sun and summery flavors!
By Mariam Elhamy
Berries, Mint and Honey Ice Tea
This berrylicious ice tea infused with mint and honey will be the ultimate sweet refresher for you this summer.
Ingredients:
- 8 Green and Black tea bags
- 8 cups cold water, divided
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
For the Mint Syrup:
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups mint leaves, coarsely chopped, plus extra for garnish
- 6 tbsps lemon juice (takes approximately 1 & 1/2 lemons)
For the Muddled Fruit:
- 1 cup sliced strawberries, plus extra for garnish
- 1 cup blueberries, plus extra for garnish
- 1 tsp sugar
Instructions:
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- Boil 4 cups of water then turn off heat and add tea bags and baking soda; let steep for 5 minutes. Put the other 4 cups of cold water in a pitcher and add the tea. Refrigerate until cold. ice tea recipes
- To make the honey mint syrup: Stir sugar, honey, water, mint leaves and lemon juice in a pan over medium heat; until sugar and honey are dissolved. Continue to simmer for 2 minutes to extract mint flavor; remove from heat and cool.
- Make the muddled fruit by putting the strawberries and blueberries into a medium bowl and gently muddle with a muddler or a large spoon. Sprinkle with 1 tsp of sugar, mix well and let sit for at least 10 minutes.
- Spoon 1/4 cup of fruit and juices into the bottom of a tall glass. Fill the glass with ice and pour tea into glass until about an inch from the top.
- Measure 2-3 tbsps of the Honey Mint Syrup into the tea and stir to combine.
- Garnish with mint, strawberries and blueberries.
Nectarine Basil Ice Tea
Refreshing summery flavors are all you need to quench your thirst on hot days. Make this easy recipe and take a pitcher to the beach or even to work for a hydrating drink.
Ingredients:
For the syrup:
- 2 cups water
- 2 ripe nectarines
- 1/2 cup organic coconut sugar (or regular sugar)
- 2 medjool dates (or more coconut sugar)
For the tea:
- 4 black tea bags
- 8 cups water
- Fresh nectarines, sliced
- Fresh basil (optional)
Instructions:
- Chop up the medjool dates into very small pieces and place them with nectarines and water into a pot, and heat until boiling. Bring the heat to low, stir and mash the fruits to infuse the flavor. When the sugar is dissolved, cover and remove from heat.
- Set aside for at least 30 minutes then strain into a bottle or container.
- Grab a larger pot and bring 8 cups of water to a boil and add the tea bags for 5 minutes max. Remove the tea bags and transfer the tea to a pitcher that you can place in the refrigerator to cool.
- Once cooled, combine the syrup, basil and tea into a pitcher and allow it to infuse for at least an hour.
- Serve in glasses over ice with fresh sliced nectarines and more basil if desired.
Cherry Citrus Ice Tea
Every sip of this sweet cherry and citrus ice tea will take you back to childhood. The delightful flavors are just as luscious as you need them to be for summer.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups boiling water
- 1/3 cup cherry juice concentrate
- 4 packets green or black tea if preferred
- 4 slices lemon, orange, or tangerine
Instructions:
- Place the cherry concentrate and tea bags in the boiling water. Steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and pour the tea into a pitcher. ice tea recipes
- Refrigerate until cold. Serve as is with a slice of citrus and ice.
Sunshine Ice Tea
Sometimes less really is more and this classic ice tea has a bit of a twist making it as exotic as ever. Try it for yourself and you won’t regret it.
Ingredients:
- 7-8 black tea bags
- 3 cups water
- 3/4 cup sugar (more if you want it sweeter)
- Juice of 2 oranges
- Juice of 2 lemons
Instructions:
- Place sugar in a saucepan with 3 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add tea bags. Turn off and let tea bags steep for at least 2 hours.
- Pour tea into a pitcher and squeeze excess tea from bags.
- Add lemon and orange juice and several cups of ice cubes.
- Fill to the top with water and enjoy!
Lavender Ice Tea
Relax with a cup of this lavender ice tea and enjoy the sound of the waves, perfect for a chill weekend.Ingredients:
Instructions:
- Combine 8 cups boiling water with the tea bags and dried lavender flowers; let steep for 10 minutes. Strain the tea and let cool.
- In another bowl, combine the sugar with the remaining 1/4 cup boiling water and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the sugar syrup to the tea and let cool.
- Serve the tea in tall ice-filled glasses, garnished with lavender or mint sprigs.
Hibiscus Pomegranate Ice Tea
This recipe sounds so delicious that it’s hard not to head into the kitchen and whip up a batch right now. The combination of tea and fruit juice is a great way to cool off in the heat of summer. ice tea recipes
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup loose hibiscus tea
- 4 cups boiling water
- 1 cup pomegranate juice
- 4 cups cold water
- Lemon, for garnish
Instructions:
- Steep the tea in the boiling water for about 5 minutes. Strain and pour into a large pitcher. Add the juice and cold water, stir and chill. Serve with lemon wedges.
Green Tea and Mango Ice Tea
Believe it or not, mango and tea go great together. The tropical fruit adds a sweet twist to the tea flavor that brings the whole drink to another level.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup brewed green tea
- 2 cups mango nectar
- Ice cubes
- Mint
- Mango slices
Directions:
- Mix the mango nectar and the tea together in a large pitcher. Pour over ice and garnish with mint and mango slices.
