5 Healthy and Refreshing Iced Tea Recipes for Summer

Serves 8

• 8 cups of water
• 6 Earl Grey tea bags or 6 teaspoons of loose leaf tea in an infuser
• ½ cup dried hibiscus blossoms
   

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher or jar. Place in the refrigerator and let chill for at least two hours to overnight. Strain out the ingredients before serving. The color and flavor intensity depends on the brewing time, and the cold brew process eliminates any bitterness that comes with brewing tea with hot water. 

Tip: Feel free to add orange slices, cinnamon sticks, or star anise to this infusion for an added spicy depth or mint for a frosty surprise.

• 6 cups of water
• 6 bags of green tea or 6 teaspoons of loose leaf tea in an infuser
• 3 stalks of lemongrass
• 2 tablespoons raw honey
• 6 sprigs of mint 
   

Slice the lemongrass stalks lengthwise, then smash them with the back of a knife to release the flavor. Place the stalks in a saucepan, add the water, and bring to a boil. As soon as the water starts to boil, bring down the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand for another 5 minutes before adding tea bags and honey. Let steep for another 5 minutes before pouring into a pitcher filled with ice. Serve over ice and crushed mint leaves. Garnish with lemon or lime wedges.

What is steeping? Steeping is a process in tea-brewing where tea is immersed in water to extract its flavor and compounds. 

Serves 4

• 4 cups of water
• 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 8 sprigs of spearmint
• 4 baby arugula leaves
• 2 tablespoons raw honey
• 3 bags of green tea or 3 teaspoons of loose leaf tea in an infuser
• 2 tablespoons of raw honey or your sweetener of choice (adjust to taste)
• Lime wedges for garnishing
   

First, prepare your green tea. Steep the tea bags in hot water (just short of boiling), then set aside and let cool. Gather the mint, arugula, lime juice, and honey together in a pitcher or jar and muddle lightly until the leaves bruise and release their flavors. Add ice before pouring the green tea. Stir well and enjoy with garnishings of mint and lime wedges.

Tip: Steeping green tea in boiling water scorches the tea leaves and makes them bitter. A good rule of thumb is to let boiled water stand for about 10 minutes before steeping your green tea.

Serves 8

• 8 cups of water
• 6 Earl Grey tea bags or 6 teaspoons of loose leaf tea in an infuser
• ½ cup dried hibiscus blossoms

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher or jar. Place in the refrigerator and let chill for at least two hours to overnight. Strain out the ingredients before serving. The color and flavor intensity depends on the brewing time, and the cold brew process eliminates any bitterness that comes with brewing tea with hot water. 

Tip: Feel free to add orange slices, cinnamon sticks, or star anise to this infusion for an added spicy depth or mint for a frosty surprise.

Serves 8

• 8 cups of water
• 8 tea bags of black tea or 8 teaspoons of loose leaf tea in an infuser
• 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
• ⅓ cup of raw honey
• Lemon slices for garnishing
   

Pour the water into a saucepan and add grated ginger. Bring the water to a boil before taking it off the heat and pouring the boiling ginger water into a heat-resistant pitcher or container. Add tea bags. Let steep for 10 minutes before removing the tea bags. Mix in the honey and let the infusion cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until ready to consume, and serve over ice with your choice of garnish. 

Tip: Have a sore throat on a hot day? Ginger and honey are an age-old pairing, and both are scientifically proven to help with cough and sore throats.