Iced tea special [WITH RECIPES]

July 28, 2020 Hanna Villberg

Luckily, tea is a very versatile drink. It is a perfect companion during dark and cold winter evenings but the iced version can be a great refreshment on a hot summer day... Or just something good to grab from the fridge to quench your thirst :)

COLD BREW ICED TEA

There are various techniques for making iced tea, but my favourite is still the cold brew method, which leaves the tea especially refreshing and full of flavour. In addition, it is a super-easy way to make iced tea, and the tea can stand in the refrigerator for days, while still maintaining its pleasant taste and freshness. If you want to know about other ways of making iced tea, you can read about different techniques HERE.

Cold brew iced teas, Renegade Tea Estate

When making iced tea, you shouldn't restrain yourself in terms of the quality of the tea, because high-quality tea brings the experience to another level. So, don't look for the last tea bags in the bottom of the cupboard, but use high-quality loose-leaf tea instead.

Iced tea can be made from all versions of tea - from white, green, oolong, and also black tea. On a daily basis, you are probably more familiar with black iced tea, which is always found in supermarkets. However unoxidized (white and green teas) or less oxidized teas (lighter oolongs) can be really surprising.

YOU CAN ADD (ALMOST) EVERYTHING

There are no restrictions in making iced teas, and although it tastes great just in its natural form (without additives), it can be mixed with all kinds of additional components, from different berries and fruits to different mints and herbs. In the case of white and green tea, it is worth choosing less intense extra flavours or just adding less of them so that the natural taste of the tea wouldn't get lost.

Preparations for making cold brew iced teas

In the recipes below, I use Renegade Tea Estate teas. As Georgian in general, those teas are naturally sweeter, softer, and fruitier, so there is no need to add extra sweeteners. Of course, the addition of honey or some syrup, for example, is not prohibited if you prefer sweeter tastes. You can certainly use teas from any producer, but it is important to use high-quality loose-leaf tea. In the case of loose leaf tea, the flavours separate from the leaf over a longer period of time, and it is possible to make several brews. This means that you can simply pour new water on the tea, put it in the fridge, and the next day you can enjoy a nice refreshment again.

Iced tea tip - if you want to serve iced tea especially cold, add pre-frozen berries or fruits instead of ice cubes (depending on the taste of the tea you have made). This way you won't dilute the tea too much and the flavours won't go away.

Making iced tea does not require much of an effort, and most importantly, by making it yourself, you know exactly what it consists of. Just add all the ingredients in a sealable bottle and keep it in the fridge overnight :)