When someone tempts me with a delicious, refreshing, super cold iced tea on a warm day it's hard to resist!
Read on for a special brew guide with iced tea ideas and tips that will keep your thirst quenched when the temperature rises.
One thing remains the same for tea drinkers all around the world and that it is all about you... You want it iced - go for it! Add some fruit - sure thing! You can make it how you please. You'd be surprised how great your favourite hot tea tastes chilled when you know how to make it right. Pre-made ice tea blends or mixes that you can buy in supermarkets are often loaded with artificial flavours and a load of sugar.
Here are some tips to get you started:
Read on for a special brew guide with iced tea ideas and tips that will keep your thirst quenched when the temperature rises.
One thing remains the same for tea drinkers all around the world and that it is all about you... You want it iced - go for it! Add some fruit - sure thing! You can make it how you please. You'd be surprised how great your favourite hot tea tastes chilled when you know how to make it right. Pre-made ice tea blends or mixes that you can buy in supermarkets are often loaded with artificial flavours and a load of sugar.
Here are some tips to get you started:
- Find the right vessel for your iced tea. There are a load of great ice tea jugs with built in infusers on the market. A standard tea pot is fine but make sure that it is big enough as you're going to want to keep coming back for more. If you can seal the jug and keep it airtight - even better!
- Brew your tea hot and let it cool to room temperature before placing in the fridge or adding ice. Don't be tempted to brew with a little bit of hot water and then fill up with cold water as a quick fix. The tea will not infuse to its full potential.
- If you like things on the sweeter side add in your honey or sweetener of choice while the tea is hot to make sure it infuses properly.
- Get fruity! Freeze some blueberries, strawberries, mango cubes, cucumber - whatever you like! It helps to keep the tea chilled and adds a tropical feel. Be sure to add these in once the tea is fully chilled.
- Check for cloudiness. Iced teas can be kept in the fridge for a few days. This varies depending on what you have added like fruit or citrus. If the tea becomes cloudy or smells different then it's time to make a fresh batch.
- Add some bubbles! We love brewing up our Ginger Zing with some soda or tonic water and add in fresh mint and sliced lemon when serving. On a hot day this is so good and you can sneak in a sniff of gin or vodka for the cocktail experience.
- Don't just stick to herbal. Green teas with citrus notes or bold black teas also taste yummy chilled. Be imaginative!
Brewing method:
- Grab your clean vessel and add your blend of choice to the infuser. Add 1.5 - 2 heaped teaspoons per cup. We want the brewed result to be strong!
- Boil your kettle to the desired temperature (100 degrees for herbal and black, 90 degrees for oolong and 80 degrees for green)
- Pour your boiled water into the vessel and infuse to your desired strength (remember it needs to be strong as iced tea ends up diluted). Add in your sweeteners of choice while the brew is hot.
- Allow to cool to room temperature and place in the fridge
- Once cooled to your satisfaction in the fridge, pour over a large glass of ice or mix with soda, tonic or lemonade for a bubbly treat. Add in your extras such as mint leaves, slices of lemon or frozen berries.
- Enjoy!
View our range of yummy iced teas here.
Happy brewing!
Jodie x