The summer heat is becoming oppressive. Yeah, that's an understatement. Anything over 100 and I feel like I can't breathe, but 110 and upwards sends me into a coma. I find my afternoon tea ritual difficult. Hot tea in the middle of a scorching afternoon just doesn't appeal, you know? And a soda only satisfies so much.
So, I've been seeking out good summer cooler recipes. Iced coffee and iced tea are now the afternoon norm. My current favorite is one I found on about.com:
Sparkling Jasmine Iced Tea
* 4 cups water, boiling
* 3 tbs loose jasmine tea
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 1 1/4 cups sparkling water
Dissolve sugar in 3/4 cup of water, and boil gently until a syrup has formed. Set aside and let cool. Steep the jasmine tea in the remaining 3 cups of hot water for around 6 minutes. Strain out tea, and let cool slightly. In a pitcher, combine syrup and tea. Stir or whisk until fully blended. Add sparkling water and cool thoroughly. Serve over ice. Can be served with cinnamon sticks, lemon slices or mint sprigs. Makes 1 quart
Tea Posur recommends Yunan Gold for a good iced tea. I might have to try that, because Cindy has been posting about the cocoa flavor of the Yunnan Gold on Cuppa Tea. And you know how I love the taste of chocolate.
Now, I don't usually go for fruity teas, but when you're drinking it cool, fruit flavor is really nice. Try peach tea over ice. Garnished with fresh peaches and it's the perfect afternoon treat.
The same applies to flavored coffees - better over ice. Nice to know deCadmus agrees with me on this.
More summer drinks:
* Spiced Iced Coffee
* Green Mountain Iced Coffee Recipes
* French Mint Tea - This should be called citrus mint tea
* Blackberry Summer Dream - more of a coffee smoothie, from Audrey at CoffeeSage
Now all I need is an assortment of tall glasses.
Stay cool!
Thank you for the great recipes! I will be delighted to try these this summer. Thank you again. We here in North Carolina love all the wonderful recipes for ice tea. My husband lives for ice tea. He will enjoy all the new drinks. It is nice to hear from great people who enjoy the simple pleasures in the life. Thanks. Judy
Posted by: Judy Mullis | March 16, 2008 at 08:14 PM
Thank you for the great recipes! I will be delighted to try these this summer. Thank you again. We here in North Carolina love all the wonderful recipes for ice tea. My husband lives for ice tea. He will enjoy all the new drinks. It is nice to hear from great people who enjoy the simple pleasures in the life. Thanks. Judy
Posted by: Judy Mullis | March 16, 2008 at 08:14 PM
Ooo! The Blackberry Summer Dream looks dee-vine!
Posted by: Nancy | June 29, 2005 at 07:56 AM
OK, OK, I'll /try/ the iced coffee drinks... ice. coffee. Just seems so very... wrong. (Yeh, tried some iced coffee drinks before and just... couldn't "get" them.)
But still, projected at around 100 today, so I might drink _less_ coffee.
Maybe.
Posted by: David | June 28, 2005 at 02:55 AM
Stop with the Green Mountain stuff-I just had a huge order arrive and I blame you!
Posted by: Kat | June 27, 2005 at 07:08 PM
I love iced Yunan Gold, which I sip at our local tea shop 'Teance' aka 'Celadon.' I've never thought of it as tasting like chocolate though.
My chinese teachers always said that drinking hot tea is good during hot weather because it makes you sweat and so - paradoxically - cools you off!
the chilled peach tea sounds delicious!
Posted by: kasturi | June 27, 2005 at 06:55 PM