Cool Tea Refreshments
From Brenda Hyde
During the hot steamy days of summer cold iced
tea and other tea coolers are just the thing to
hit the spot, whether you are alone or entertaining
company. These easy recipes will have you sitting
in shade and sipping in no time.
Teatime Smoothie
Ingredients:
1 cup cold strong Irish Breakfast or other black tea
1 cup frozen blueberries, raspberries or strawberries
1/2 cup apple juice or other 100% juice
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1 tbsp. honey
In blender or food processor combine tea, blueberries,
juice, yogurt and honey. Blend on high speed until
smooth. Makes 2 servings.
Mint and Lemon Iced Tea
Ingredients:
3 cups of boiling water
4 black tea bags
2 fresh mint sprigs
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
5 cups cold water
Fresh mint and sliced lemon for garnish
Use the boiling water to brew the black tea with
the mint sprigs for 5 minutes. Strain or remove
tea bags and mint. Add sugar and lemon juice,
stirring until sugar dissolves. Stir in cold water.
Serve over ice, garnish with fresh sprigs of mint
and a slice of lemon. Makes 8 servings.
Warm Weather Tea Punch
Ingredients:
2 cups water
2/3 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. fresh mint
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 cups strong brewed tea
1 1-liter bottle cold club soda
Flower ice cubes
Place water, sugar and mint in a large pan and
bring mixture to a boil. Remove from heat and
let steep for 20 minutes. Strain mixture and
place in a large pitcher. Add orange juice, lemon
juice and tea to the mint water. Chill. Just before
serving, add club soda to the tea punch after you
place in the bowl. Serve in punch bowl with
flowered ice cubes-recipe below.
Flowered Ice Cubes:
Filling ice-cube trays half full with water and
place an edible blossom or petal on water in
each cube. Freeze until firm, then fill the tray
with water and freeze again. You can use:
Sweet William-dianthus
Violets, Johnnie Jump-ups or pansies
Scented geraniums blooms
Mint or lemon balm leaves
Borage or angelica blooms
Calendula blooms if they are small enough
Be sure they are pesticide and bug free!
Strawberry Iced Tea
Ingredients:
1 pint fresh strawberries
1/2 cup granulated sugar
5 cups boiling water
5 tea bags-green or black tea
1 can (12 ounces) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 quart sparkling water, or seltzer
Ice
Clean and trim the strawberries. Place them in a
bowl with the sugar-mix to coat and set aside. Steep
the tea bags with the boiling water for 5 minutes.
Remove tea bags and cool. Stir the cooled tea into
the strawberry mixture. Add the lemonade. Place in
a large pitcher and chill. Before serving stir in the
seltzer and pour over ice cubes in pretty glasses.
Makes 12 servings.
Almond Vanilla Iced Tea
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1 quart of strong tea-any black or green variety
Combine all the ingredients and pour over ice
cubes in tall glasses.
About the Author
Brenda Hyde is a Mom of three, a freelance writer and
editor of Old Fashioned Living.
For information on subscribing to her free newsletters Click
here
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