Iced Tea is such an American Drink. And the best part is that almost every household has it’s own recipe to it. I don’t have a family recipe but yes I do follow my heart and this is my take on the humble Iced Tea. Well, one take…since it can be flavored in countless ways.
Spring was a sudden onset and it seems that summer is already knocking the door. It was so hot last night. Ours is a corner house so gets really hot during the later half of the day. Almost roasted. This was the first thing I whipped in the morning and kept for the whole day. The best part is that you can make a thick portion and keep diluting the whole day. Also, you can lighten it up by adding more water, or keep it more intense by not diluting it too much. Another fun way to drink it is to mix with club soda and have a sizzling drink. I haven’t sweetened it at all. But be my guest and sweeten it if you wish with either sugar or honey. An unbeatable refreshingly simple drink to make at home.
Ingredients :
Black Tea : 2 bags or 2 tsp
Water : 4 cups
Lemon : 1, sliced thin
Lemon Juice : 1 tbsp
Ginger juice : 1/2 tsp. use fresh ginger since old ginger gets bitter. Grate the ginger and squeeze juice out of it by putting it in a sieve and pressing with the back of a spoon.
*More water to dilute later.
Method :
- Boil the tea leaves or bags with 4 cups of water for 2 minutes. Switch it off. Cover and let sit for 10-15 minutes till it comes to the room temperature.
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Strain the tea water in a carafe/jug/bottle. Add lemon juice and ginger juice. Add sliced lemon too. Add 1 cup of ice cubes. Fill the water jug/carafe/bottle with water. Store in refrigerator or keep outside.
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When you want to drink some, fill up a glass with some ice, add 1/4 to 1/3 cup of prepared tea. Fill the rest with water or club soda. You can adjust the intensity with the amount of prepared portion you pour in your glass.
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If you like sweet, you may add sugar or honey. Or use ginger ale or sprite. I don’t add anything. Plain water and ice does the magic for me.
Disclaimer : Iced Tea is an acquired taste. Start with drinking the lighter versions first and then if you wish, increase the intensity. Lighter is diluting it more.
mmmarzipan
I LOVE that this is unsweetened! Sounds very refreshing!
aryana0821
I love iced tea
simplyvegetarian777
Me too 🙂
Jhuls
This is such a great idea to enjoy iced tea without that sugar! 🙂
Patty Nguyen
Yay, you don’t sweeten your iced teas either! I grew up drinking unsweetened tea and can’t ever drink much of the sugared kind. Now, it’s not that I don’t love sweets (cuz you know I do!), it’s just a cultural thing and I like my drinks just so. 😀
Jhuls
I was very addicted to store-bought iced tea, Patty! I can finish 1 liter of iced tea in one sitting. I can go on a day with iced tea alone. But since I decided to cut down on sugary drinks, I stopped drinking iced tea and even the store-bought juices. Now, I don’t put sugar in my teas, even honey. I just started drinking fresh ginger tea a week ago and no sweetener at all.:)
Patty Nguyen
Isn’t it so refreshing? As I always say, I prefer to chew my sugar. Can’t waste my ration in a drink! 😉
Jhuls
I understand! I feel the same with the eggs I use when I’m baking. If I can, I prefer to fry them. 😀
Patty Nguyen
Haha I can relate! 😛
Priya Kedlaya
Awesome tea combination, Sonal! And you’re right it’s an acquired taste – but is so much better than the sweet one, once you get used to it!
Aruna Panangipally
Just what is needed in the Mumbai heat…..
anju
Very nice
simplyvegetarian777
🙂
Butter, Basil and Breadcrumbs
I’m an iced tea kind of girl! I get myself into spurts where I have it on a daily basis.. And then try to cut back when I realize I’m too hooked on it and I’m drinking more tea than water! Yours looks fabulous! Exactly how I would drink it, but I’ve never had it with ginger! I need to try that! xx
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried
I love iced tea!
arandomstateofmind
Its my favourite 🙂
Nancy
I’ve never cared for sweet tea, and with these great flavors, the tea certainly doesn’t need sugar. Sounds refreshing and delicious!
simplyvegetarian777
Thanks Nancy 🙂
tinywhitecottage
As a kid we always had iced tea in the fridge. I just started making it for my son and he loves it! Of course I do put a little sugar in his….I like your added ginger juice here. Have you ever bought or heard of ginger people ginger juice?
Laura
Yes, please. Love iced tea, and have never understood why people put sweetener in it! My favorite way to do it in the summer in sun tea – water, tea bags, and leave it outside for a couple of days (covered, in a safe place, of course). Divine!
sherayx
Reblogged this on SherayxWeblog.