June is National Iced Tea Month
In June of every year we celebrate National Iced Tea month. Since June kicks off the hot Summer weather, this is a great time of year to start drinking iced tea.
There are two ways to make a pot or pitcher of iced tea. In general, making iced tea isn’t that different from making hot tea. Double the amount of tea you use for hot tea and immediately after steeping, pour over ice. Or you can choose to use a cold brewing iced tea pitcher that steeps the tea more slowly in the refrigerator. Each has a slightly different taste, so try both and see which works for you.
There are some teas that lend themselves to a cold brew such as Black teas, Green teas and Herbal teas, especially Rooibos herbal teas. Just like hot teas, you can blend teas to get a delicious iced tea. See our recommended gourmet iced teas here. And they can be made with honey or sugar for a touch of sweetness.
Another way to try iced tea is with a fruity addition. For example, mixing some orange juice in with a pitcher of iced tea adds a citrus flavor that is unbeatable (I recommend black tea for this one). Or crush some mint in the bottom of your glass before adding green tea or black tea for a minty, refreshing drink. Many kinds of fruit can be crushed and added to black tea to change the taste and add nutrients: raspberries, cherries, and blueberries are great (warning: blueberries stain!). And don’t hesitate to mix in an herbal tea to liven up that glass of iced black tea!
Whatever you do, enjoy a glass of iced tea during June. On a hot day not much beats a cool glass of iced tea in the shade.