I have never been a huge fan of fizzy drinks. When I was little, though, I loved to drink cold Ice Tea in the summer, but it came usually from a box and contained a horrific amount of sugar. Therefore, I came up with a sugar-free alternative to quench my thirst. And no, I am not talking about plain water.
Lemon and Mint Tea Infusion
Ingredients:
For 1 pitcher
- 2 handfuls fresh mint
- 2 large lemons
- 2 handfuls dried lemon verbena
- 2 twigs lemon grass
- A few twigs fresh thyme
- Hot water
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- In a heat-proof measuring cup, mix lemon verbena, chopped lemon grass, one large handful of fresh mint and the juice of one lemon. Add hot water to the mix, but no more than the to be used pitcher would hold. Leave to stand for 15 minutes.
- Slice and then half the second lemon and put the pieces in the pitcher. Add ice cubes, a handful of fresh mint and thyme. Hold a strainer over the pitcher and carefully fill it up with the tea.
- If at hand, feel free to add some lime.
Very Red Berry Tea Infusion
Ingredients:
For 1 pitcher
- 1 large handful dried red sorrel blossoms (hibiscus flowers)
- 2 large handfuls red forest fruit berries (frozen is fine and, generally, leaks juice)
- 1 grapefruit
- Several twigs fresh rosemary
- Hot water
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- In a measuring cup, mix sorrel blossoms, one large handful of frozen berries and the juice of half a grapefruit. Add hot water to the mix, but no more than the pitcher would hold. Leave to stand for 15 minutes.
- Slice and then quarter the rest of the grapefruit and put the pieces in the pitcher. Add ice cubes, the rest of the frozen berries and fresh rosemary. Hold a strainer over the pitcher and carefully fill it up with the tea. Use a tablespoon to squeeze the fruit a bit to extract more juice.
- Feel free to add some fresh mint to the pitcher.
Author: Danica Utermohlen
Picture credits: Danica Utermohlen
Disclaimer: This article has been edited. It was first published on 18/07/2014 for GloTIME, http://www.glotime.org/glotimes-summer-picnic-recipes-lemon-mint-tea-infusion/ and on 15/08/2014, http://www.glotime.org/glotimes-summer-picnic-recipes-berry-tea-infusion/
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