TOP 5 REFRESHING HERBS: TEA RECIPES FOR HOT SUMMER DAYS

As much as you can eat healthy, it’s also important to remember to drink healthy too. Tea is very healing.

 Kristin Chenoweth

In summertime herbal tea can be both a storehouse of vitamins and healthy substances that can enhance your well-being and a delicious way to quench your thirst and beat summer heat. If you want to increase your water intake, recharge your body, feel renewed and vigorous, it’s high time to try some of the healthiest and most popular summer herbal tea recipes.

Hibiscus Iced Tea (Agua de Jamaica)

Hibiscus is one of the best herbs for summer drinks as its fragrance and pleasant sour taste are good for satisfying your thirst and recuperating. Moreover, the mouthwatering rosy colour of this drink can easily lift your spirits. Hibiscus is a great source of vitamin С and flavonoids. For Agua de Jamaica use the following recipe:

• 1.5 cups of dried hibiscus flowers
• 4 cups of boiling water
• 1/4  cup of sugar  (or any quantity according to your taste)
• 4 cups of cold water

Place hibiscus dried flowers in a saucepan and add 4 cups of boiling water. Cover the tea and let it steep until it cools down. Strain the mixture and dilute it with 4 cups of cold water and 1/4 cup of sugar (you can add more water or sugar according to your taste). Serve this healthy drink with ice cubes.

Fresh Mint Iced Tea

Mint is a wonderful refreshing herb which is a very widespread tea ingredient. The recipe for fresh mint iced tea includes:

• 1 cup of fresh mint leaves
• 2 cups of boiling water
• 2 cups of cold water
• 2 tbsp of sugar
• Some lemon peel
• Mint leaves and lemon slices (for garnish) - optional

Put the fresh mint leaves, lemon peel and sugar into a bowl and add the boiling water. Stir the mixture and infuse for about 10 minutes. Then add 2 cups of cold water to the mixture. Strain it and chill in a refrigerator. Garnish this drink with mint leaves or lemon slices

Ginger Iced Tea

Ginger is a traditional tea ingredient which has powerful health-giving properties. Use the following recipe for a healthy ginger drink:

• 2 tsp of grated ginger
• 8 cups of  boiling water
• 8 tea bags
• 1/3 cup of honey

Pour the boiling water over 8 tea bags and let them steep for about 10 minutes. Remove the bags and cool the tea. Add honey and ginger, stir the mixture. Refrigerate it and serve with ice cubes.

Chamomile Iced Tea

Chamomile is a popular healing herb that is an indispensable component of calming tea blends. It is usually associated with hot warming tea. But it can also be served as a cold refreshing drink in summertime. You can try the following recipe for chamomile iced tea:

• 4 cups of boiling water
• 4 chamomile tea bags
• 1 lemon and 1 orange
• 1/2 cup of sugar

Infuse the chamomile tea bags in 4 cups of boiling water for about 10 minutes. Remove the rind from the lemon and orange and squeeze out some juice. Then mix the juice, rind and sugar in a saucepan and boil the mixture. Simmer it for about 5 minutes. After that add this mixture to your chamomile tea and put it in a refrigerator. Strain the tea and serve with ice cubes.

Lavender Iced Tea

Lavender is a must-have beneficial herb for your tea recipes. The recipe for lavender iced tea includes:

• 4 tbsp of dried lavender
• 1/4 cup of honey
• 1/4  cup of lemon juice
• 4 cups of boiling water

Steep the lavender in boiling water for about 15 minutes. Strain the mixture. Then add the honey and lemon juice. Chill the tea in a refrigerator and serve with ice cubes.