5 Refreshing Herbal Iced Tea Recipes to Cool You Down
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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:
- In a teapot or heatproof pitcher, add the mint leaves, lemon balm leaves, and lemon slices.
- Pour boiling water over the herbs and lemon, and let it steep for 10-15 minutes.
- Strain the tea into another pitcher and let it cool to room temperature.
- Sweeten with honey or agave syrup if desired.
- 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:
- Place the hibiscus flowers and rosehips in a teapot or heatproof pitcher.
- Pour boiling water over the dried herbs and let it steep for 15-20 minutes.
- Strain the tea into a pitcher and allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Add sweetener if desired.
- 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:
- Combine the chamomile flowers and lavender buds in a teapot or heatproof pitcher.
- Pour boiling water over the herbs and let it steep for 10-15 minutes.
- Strain the tea into a pitcher and let it cool.
- Sweeten with honey if desired.
- 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:
- In a teapot or heatproof pitcher, add the lemon verbena leaves, ginger slices, and lemon slices.
- Pour boiling water over the herbs and let it steep for 15 minutes.
- Strain the tea into a pitcher and let it cool to room temperature.
- Sweeten with honey or agave syrup if desired.
- 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:
- Place the raspberry leaves and peppermint leaves in a teapot or heatproof pitcher.
- Pour boiling water over the herbs and let it steep for 15 minutes.
- Strain the tea into a pitcher and allow it to cool.
- Add sweetener if desired.
- 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.