To a tea

The morning after indulging in a Yuletide Hipster or two, you may be wishing you had something slightly more refreshing at your disposal.

Well we got you into this mess, now let us get you out!

Making your own iced teas is extremely easy and the possibilities are endless. If you're interested in the health benefits of tea (vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and obvious hipster cred) iced tea is ideal.  It's easy to prepare in the morning so you have it when you get home and is easily transportable.

This version tastes exactly like Nestea but can be made for a fraction of the cost and with fresh ingredients. Also, unlike most store-bought iced teas it contains little sugar so it's more refreshing than cloying.

1. Boil a kettle of water.
2. Place 3-5 orange pekoe tea bags in a large pitcher (I used King Cole tea, but brand will do) 
3. Add about 1/4 cup lemon juice, or slice 1/2 a lemon into rounds and put these into the pitcher.  Stir.  Amount of lemon can be adjusted to taste. 
4. Add sugar to taste.  I put only about 1/8 of a cup per pitcher because I prefer my iced tea to be quite bitter, but again it's totally up to you. 
5. Cover pitcher with plastic wrap and let cool. Don't put the warm pitcher directly in the fridge, unless you're fond of food poisoning.  Once pitcher has cooled, place in fridge. 
6. Serve tea over ice and garnish with a slice of lemon.
7. Pat yourself on the back for making several litres of iced tea for under $1. 

This basic recipe can be used to make an infinite variety of iced teas.  Try green tea and lemon, berry tea and fresh berries, ginger tea and honey, white tea mixed with blueberry tea (served with fresh blueberries), lemon tea with strawberries...

Cheers!

Posted by:  Jean