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 ice 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.

Strawberry Yogurt Cooler

2 rosehip tea bags
2 cups boiling water
2 cups plain low-fat 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 an avid tea drinker, a Mom of three, and a writer.
For more recipes, tips and family projects visit her at Seeds of
Knowledge, her online magazine. http://www.seedsofknowledge.com

Related Articles: