Summertime 🌞
These hot days call for iced tea. Any tea can be served cold, and with the easy techniques detailed here, you can prepare both iced tea on-demand or ahead of time.
For me, opening the refrigerator repeatedly with the hope that something delicious and refreshing will appear is a good signal that it is time to get brewing.
Options abound! A range of flavors and caffeine levels are available of course, to be made sweetened or not, or perhaps blended with milk into an iced tea latte. I am very fond of combining tea or herbs with juice in the summer (our Pondi Cherry hibiscus blend + limeade is a favorite). Or, for a little effervescence, I may add a condensed brew into sparkling water.
Summer: for best results, stay hydrated!
Iced Tea
Knowing that all teas can be brewed by either method does not narrow down which option to try, so here are recommendations that include best sellers and staff favorites for drinking iced: Peach Apricot Black, Nilgiri Iced, Jasmine Nights, Kama Sutra Chai, Casablanca Green and of course Blood Orange Rooibos.
Cold Steep Method
- Determine the capacity of your container
- Measure tea (about 1 teaspoon for every cup the container holds)
- Add tea/herbs to the vessel and fill with water -Place in refrigerator for 5-8 hours
Hot Concentrate Method
- Determine the capacity of your container
- Measure tea (about 1 teaspoon for every cup the container holds)
- Add tea and fill the vessel 20% with hot water
- Infuse for the label recommended steep time
- Pour over ice or combine with cold water
Iced Tea Brewing Tips
- For a stronger brew, do not rely upon infusing for a longer time. This adds bitterness. Instead, add more tea leaves.
- If your tea is already cold but you would like add sugar, heat up a bit of water and dissolve the sugar first separately. It will incorporate far better.
- If you like your tea very cold and very strong, make ice cubes out of the last of your recent brew. Add the ice to your next glass without diluting the infusion.
A Pop of Color
Get creative with your favorite cooling herbs! A popsicle made by blending hibiscus and your favorite fruits or juice is a delicious way to combat the heat.
(The key to a nice soft popsicle is a rapid freeze, so start with a chilled liquid, and check your freezer temp.)
Or just make a tray of mint-infused ice cubes to elevate any beverage!