Iced tea is a great way to experience the benefits of herbs in summer when it is too warm for a hot cuppa. It also provides more variety if you like to drink something different but want to avoid sugar laden soft drinks and high fructose fruit juices.
You will need more ingredients in an iced tea in order to strengthen the taste. When choosing infusion herbs, it is best to use the more fragrant ones that won’t lend a “herby” taste to the drink. After the initial infusion, once the water has cooled, other more delicate ingredients are added (eg citrus juices and honey). This way the nutritional value is maintained.
At the bottom of this post I have shared one of my favourite iced tea recipes: Ginger Lime-ade. It is just one example of many combinations you can start experimenting with. Use the guidelines below to create your own delicious iced teas.
General Instructions for all iced tea recipes
- Boil 3 litres of water then leave for a few minutes to stand.
- Meanwhile, add all infusion ingredients to a large saucepan or ceramic bowl.
- Pour hot water over the herbs and stir.
- Cover and leave for at least an hour.
- Strain the water from the herbs into a large bowl or jug – preferably one with a pourer.
- Stir in the “add later” ingredients.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or sourness if necessary.
- Decant into bottles and store in the fridge.
- Serve chilled with ice.
A note about the “add later” ingredients: Specific quantities of the “add later” ingredients will vary. Add these according to your own taste. For example, ginger is very hot in large quantities so if you prefer just a hint, only add a small amount. Experiment to find the right balance for you. Juiced ginger is more potent in taste and medicinal benefit however you can also just grate it and add it in at the infusion stage. I always juice it to gain the most nutritional benefit.
Infusion herbs: To start with you may not have a large variety of herbs to work with. Below is a list that taste wonderful in iced teas and are also medicinal. Some may be used dried or fresh, eg lemon balm, peppermint and lemongrass.
Ginger Lime-ade
This iced tea recipe is refreshingly sweet and sour with the background heat of ginger. It is great for both digestion and the immune system. Serve chilled with ice on a hot day.
Ingredients
- Large handful of Fresh peppermint leaves or 2 tbsp dried peppermint leaf or 3 peppermint teabags. (Make sure dried leaf or teabags are fresh – ie still smell good as they go rancid quite quickly compared to other herbs)
- 2 tbsp dried Chamomile
- 2 tbsp dried Marshmallow root
- 2 tbsp dried Lemon Balm or lemongrass
- To Add Later
- Approx. 70ml lime juice (2 small limes)
- 2 tbsp (40 ml) ginger juice (this provides a medium kick)
- 4 tbsp (80 ml) honey or to taste
Instructions
Follow the general instructions for all iced teas at the top of the post.
