With summer in full swing, we thought now would be a good time to honor the chilled and tasty beverage with a list of our favourite iced-tea perfect teas and a roundup of 3 of our favourite iced tea recipes!

A little history…In 1904 at the World Fair in St. Louis, the drink was made popular by a tea vendor. Because of the summer heat, when visitors came to his booth, they immediately turned down his piping hot beverage. The vendor decided to run his tea through cold pipes to lower its temperature and suddenly everyone wanted a glass. Word quickly spread at the fair and this versatile beverage continues to be popular around the world today.

We came up with three very unique iced tea recipes for you to try. Let us know which one is your favourite—or if you have your own amazing recipe.

Peach Ginger Iced Tea

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp Zhena’s Gypsy Peach Ginger Black Tea
  
• 3 ripe peaches, sliced
• 2 tbsp honey (or to taste)
• 4 slices of fresh ginger, peeled and divided in half
• 1 litre boiling water
• Mint leaves for garnish
• Ice for serving
• Bourbon (optional)

Directions

1. Fill a heat proof jug with boiling water and add the loose leaf tea. While still hot, add half the ginger and allow to steep until the tea is lukewarm.
2. Strain and stir in the remaining ginger, the honey and the peach slices. Store in the fridge until you are ready to serve.
3. If adding bourbon, pour 1.5 oz (1 shot) into a glass, add ice, then fill with tea.

Note: Adding the and ginger back to the strained tea will strengthen these flavour. If you want to keep them mild, do not add them back. Either way works well. You can also muddle the aromatics slightly in the tea, bruising the ginger and peaches.

Strawberry Basil Iced Tea

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp Nourishtea Crimson Rooibos Loose Leaf Tea
• 1 pound strawberries, hulled and halved (quartered if large)
• 1 litre boiling water (for steeping)
• 1 cup water (for strawberries)
• 1/3 cup organic cane sugar (or to taste)
• 1 cup fresh basil, plus more for garnish
• Ice for serving

Directions

1. Fill a heat proof jug with boiling water and add the loose leaf tea. Allow to steep for 5 minutes.
2. Place hulled strawberries in a bowl. Bring 1 cup water with the organic cane sugar to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, add basil, and allow to steep for about 10 minutes.
3. Remove basil and then pour over strawberries and toss to coat. Let stand until cooled, about 30 minutes.
4. Combine strawberries (with their syrup) and tea in a pitcher. Refrigerate until chilled. Serve over ice, and garnish with fresh basil.

Citrus Mint Iced Tea

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp Pure Leaf Earl Grey
• 2 handfuls fresh mint leaves, divided in half
• 1 litre boiling water
• 2 tbsp honey (or to taste)
• Mint leaves for garnish
• 1 lemon, sliced
• Ice for serving

Directions

1. Fill a heat proof jug with boiling water and add the loose leaf tea. While still hot, add half the mint leaves and allow to steep until the tea is lukewarm.
2. Strain and stir in the remaining mint leaves and the lemon slices. Store in the fridge until you are ready to serve.
3. Serve over ice.

What’s you favourite way to enjoy iced tea? Tell us in the comments!

Well.ca

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