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Liven Up Your Iced Tea
By Brenda Hyde
Iced tea is a traditional refreshing drink during the warm months, and
one of my favorites. However, there is so much more you can do with
tea to liven up your days and nights! Remember, too that presentation
makes all the difference, whether you are entertaining others or
treating yourself during a busy day. The idea is to make drinking tea
relaxing and to pamper yourself a little bit, especially during the
hectic days of summer.
A pretty chilled glass filled with ice cubes is the easiest way to
start.
Try these other additions to jazz up your iced tea:
*freeze whole strawberries to add to your drink.
*freeze edible flowers in your ice cubes such as violets, borage or
scented geraniums. (Remember, not all flowers are edible)
*add a sprig of fresh mint or lemon balm to your drink
*a thin slice or lemon, orange or lime can be added also.
I have four recipes for you to try. They can be made and kept in a
covered pitcher in the refrigerator for a refreshing drink throughout
the day, or
you can double the recipes for company. Enjoy!
Honey Apple Tea
4 black tea bags
1/3 cup honey
3 cups unsweetened apple juice
3 cups boiling water
lemon slices
In a 2 quart pot, brew tea bags in boiling
water. Remove bags, add honey and
apple juice. Stir well. Pour over ice. Makes
6 to 8 servings.
Fruit Tea Punch
1 cup honey
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup fresh fruit, crushed
1 1/2 cups fresh, strong tea
1 pint ginger ale
Mix all ingredients except ginger
ale. Just before serving add ginger
ale and crushed ice. If the punch
is too strong for your taste you can
dilute with ice water or more ginger
ale.
Cinnamon Apple Cooler
1 1/2 cups boiling water
6 Cinnamon Apple tea bags
3 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 cup grape juice
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Club soda, chilled
In teapot, pour boiling water over teabags;
cover and steep 5 minutes. Remove bags;
stir in sugar and cool. In pitcher, combine
tea, cold water and juices. Serve in ice-filled
glasses with a splash of soda. Garnish, if
desired, with lemon slices.
Apple Spiced Iced Tea
Ingredients:
3 cups apple juice or cider
3 cups boiling water
6 black tea bags
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
1/3 cup honey
Add tea bags to boiling water. Let stand 15 minutes.
Remove and add allspice, honey and apple juice.
Simmer over low heat until honey is blended, about
one minute. Chill. Serve over ice with lemon slices
if desired. Store in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator.
Strawberry Yogurt Cooler
2 rosehip tea bags
2 cups boiling water
2 cups plain lowfat yogurt
3 tablespoons honey
1 cup sliced strawberries
Steep the tea bags in a small teapot
or bowl for 10 minutes, covered. Remove
tea bags. Place the yogurt, berries, and
honey in a blender. Blend until smooth.
Add the tea to the yogurt mixture, and
blend until smooth. Serve over ice.
Brenda Hyde is a freelance writer living on ten acres in rural Michigan with her husband and three kids. Stop by and visit her garden blog, Garden of Grace & Whimsy, and her photography blog, A Dance of Words & Photos.
SeptemberLady "Born and have lived in Southern MD most of my life. My husband and I just finished building a new home on the family farm, where I hope to retire in the near future.
My interests: Doll collecting, cookbook collector (especially old ones), antiques, family/friend get-togethers, cooking/baking, flower and vegetable gardening, bird-watching."
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