5 Refreshing Herbal Iced Tea Recipes to Cool You Down

As the days get warmer, there's nothing quite like a refreshing glass of iced tea to cool you down. Herbal iced teas not only quench your thirst but also provide a host of health benefits. Here are five delightful herbal iced tea recipes that are perfect for summer.

1. Mint and Lemon Balm Iced Tea

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon balm leaves
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 4 cups boiling water
• Ice cubes
• Honey or agave syrup (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a teapot or heatproof pitcher, add the mint leaves, lemon balm leaves, and lemon slices.
2. Pour boiling water over the herbs and lemon, and let it steep for 10-15 minutes.
3. Strain the tea into another pitcher and let it cool to room temperature.
4. Sweeten with honey or agave syrup if desired.
5. Serve over ice and garnish with additional mint leaves and lemon slices.

Benefits: Mint aids digestion and provides a cooling sensation, while lemon balm helps reduce stress and anxiety.

2. Hibiscus and Rosehip Iced Tea

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup dried hibiscus flowers
• 1/4 cup dried rosehips
• 4 cups boiling water
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish
• Sweetener of choice (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place the hibiscus flowers and rosehips in a teapot or heatproof pitcher.
2. Pour boiling water over the dried herbs and let it steep for 15-20 minutes.
3. Strain the tea into a pitcher and allow it to cool to room temperature.
4. Add sweetener if desired.
5. Serve over ice and garnish with fresh mint leaves.

Benefits: Hibiscus is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, while rosehips provide a boost of vitamin C and anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Chamomile and Lavender Iced Tea

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup dried chamomile flowers
• 2 tablespoons dried lavender buds
• 4 cups boiling water
• Ice cubes
• Lemon slices for garnish
• Honey (optional)

Instructions:

1. Combine the chamomile flowers and lavender buds in a teapot or heatproof pitcher.
2. Pour boiling water over the herbs and let it steep for 10-15 minutes.
3. Strain the tea into a pitcher and let it cool.
4. Sweeten with honey if desired.
5. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices.

Benefits: Chamomile promotes relaxation and improves sleep, while lavender has calming and anti-inflammatory properties.

4. Lemon Ginger Iced Tea

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup fresh lemon verbena leaves (or lemon balm)
• 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, thinly sliced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 4 cups boiling water
• Ice cubes
• Honey or agave syrup (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a teapot or heatproof pitcher, add the lemon verbena leaves, ginger slices, and lemon slices.
2. Pour boiling water over the herbs and let it steep for 15 minutes.
3. Strain the tea into a pitcher and let it cool to room temperature.
4. Sweeten with honey or agave syrup if desired.
5. Serve over ice and garnish with additional lemon slices and a sprig of lemon verbena.

Benefits: Lemon verbena aids digestion and reduces stress, while ginger helps with digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties.

5. Raspberry Leaf and Peppermint Iced Tea

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup dried raspberry leaves
• 1/4 cup fresh peppermint leaves
• 4 cups boiling water
• Ice cubes
• Fresh raspberries and mint leaves for garnish
• Sweetener of choice (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place the raspberry leaves and peppermint leaves in a teapot or heatproof pitcher.
2. Pour boiling water over the herbs and let it steep for 15 minutes.
3. Strain the tea into a pitcher and allow it to cool.
4. Add sweetener if desired.
5. Serve over ice and garnish with fresh raspberries and mint leaves.

Benefits: Raspberry leaf is known for its reproductive health benefits, while peppermint aids digestion and provides a cooling effect.