Tea is not just another beverage. It is the most widely consumed beverage in the world, after water. Furthermore, it has always held a special place in various cultures. A cup of tea can fix anything for the British, whereas the Japanese believe it makes you experience truth and beauty. According to an ancient Japanese proverb, “If a man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty.”
In view of the importance tea has held worldwide, it only makes sense that there are hundreds of different varieties of it.
While there are numerous varieties of tea, every country seems to have their preferred kind of tea and preparing method, which can sometimes get a little boring. If you’re bored of drinking the same kind of tea every day, it’s time to switch things up a bit and try some new tea recipes.
How about trying some herbal iced tea recipes?
Whether you’re looking for a thirst-quenching drink for sweltering summer days or a refreshing beverage to wind down with after work, herbal iced tea has got you covered. But, there is more to it than just the taste. Herbal iced tea packs a healthy punch. Depending on which herb(s) you choose to use, the drink can help improve your sleep, energy levels, or mood and can even alleviate a range of health-related complaints, such as poor digestion and inflammation. There are plenty of herbs that can give you an immunity boost as well. What more do you want from a drink?
Alright, that’s enough talking! Let’s get to the point and share the bunch of simple herbal iced tea recipes we have collected to help you make the most of these amazing drinks.
Things You’ll Need
You don’t need a lot of equipment to make yourself some refreshing and delicious herbal iced tea. You just need the right ingredients. However, we’re listing down the basic items that you will need to prepare these herbal teas for your convenience (you most likely have them all already).
8 Healthy Herbal Iced Tea Recipes
Here are some super simple herbal iced tea recipes loaded with flavor and herbal benefits:
1. Chamomile and Watermelon Iced Tea with Basil
As evident from the name, this tea has three-star ingredients – the calming chamomile, the flavorful basil, and the refreshing watermelon. The three ingredients come together beautifully to create a colorful and refreshing drink that’s perfect for summer parties. But, you can also enjoy it on your own to experience the soothing benefits of chamomile. Basil leaves will also help lower the risk of inflammation and add a delicious fresh flavor to the drink.
Ingredients
- Water – 4 cups
- Sugar – ½ cup, or as required
- Chamomile tea – 6 tea bags
- Watermelon – 6 cups, cut intosmall cubes
- Fresh basil – 6 to 8 sprigs + more for garnishing
- Ice
Directions
Add water to a medium-sized saucepan and bring it to a boil. Remove from heat and chamomile tea bags. Cover the pan with the lid and let the tea steep for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Add four cups of watermelon cubes in a blender and blend until smooth. Transfer the water juice into a saucepan and sugar in it and heat it on medium heat until it comes to a boil. Make sure sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat.
In a large pitcher, add the prepared chamomile tea, watermelon syrup, and whole basil sprigs. Stir well and let the mixture cool on the countertop.
Add ice and a few watermelon cubes to each serving glass. Pour the prepared tea and let it sit for 5 minutes. Garnish with basil leaves and serve!
2. Chamomile, Mint, and Lavender Iced Tea
If you’re looking for a relaxing summer drink, this is it!
Made with the best known calming and soothing herbs of chamomile and lavender, this is your ultimate relaxing summer drink. It’s also caffeine-free.
Ingredients
- Dried chamomile – 1 ½ tablespoon(you can also use 4 chamomile tea bags)
- Dried culinary lavender – 2 tablespoons
- Fresh mint leaves – 1 cup, loosely packed
Directions
Crush mint leaves and add them to a 1-gallon jar (make sure it has a lid). Add chamomile and lavender. Fill the jar with water, leaving about 2-inches from the rim. Cover with the lid and refrigerate the concoction for six hours.
Strain the drink using a colander lined with cheesecloth and enjoy!
3. Hibiscus Pomegranate Iced Tea
This sweet and sour herbal iced tea not only tastes great, but also looks beautiful. The bright red color of the drink will instantly put you in a good mood and the refreshing taste will leave you wanting more.
Ingredients
- Water – 8 cups (4 cups normal, 4 cups cold)
- Hibiscus tea – loose, ¼ cup or 12 tea bags
- Pomegranate juice (or nectar) – 1 cup
- Lemon wedges – for garnishing (optional)
Note – You can also add sugar to it if you want
Directions
Boil four cups of water in a saucepan. Add hibiscus tea, cover and let it steep for three to five minutes. If you’re using sugar, add it to the tea at this stage.
Strain the tea and pour it into a pitcher. Now add the pomegranate juice or nectar (whichever you’re using) and four cups of cold water. Stir well and refrigerate for about two hours.
Pour the herbal iced tea into serving glasses and garnish with lemon wedges.
4. Sparkling Hibiscus Iced Tea
Anything with hibiscus makes a treat for the eyes. This one is no exception. However, it has more to offer than just gorgeous color. Sweet, tangy, sparkly, and refreshing, this herbal iced tea hits all the right notes and makes a perfect summer drink.
Ingredients
- Water – 4 cups
- Hibiscus tea bags – 8
- Sparkling water – 2 cups
- Fresh mint leaves – ¼ cup
- Honey – ½ cup
- Ice
- Strawberries – as required, for garnishing
Directions
Boil water in a medium saucepan. Add hibiscus tea bags and honey and let the mixture steep for 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how strong you want the tea to be. Once the tea is strong to your liking, remove the tea bags and transfer the tea into a large pitcher.
Add sparkling water and mint leaves. Stir well and place it in the refrigerator until it is chilled. Pour the tea into serving glasses, garnish with fresh strawberries and enjoy!
5. Ginger and Honey Iced Tea
Ginger and honey have long been known as the natural cure-all. Made with two of the most prized ingredients of the world of natural medicine, this powerhouse herbal drink is packed with healing properties. But, it’s not like typical medicinal drinks that taste gross. This one also tastes good.
Ingredients
- Water – 8 cups
- Black tea – 8 tea bags
- Fresh ginger (grated) – 2 teaspoons
- Honey – 1/3 cup
Directions
Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the tea bags, cover the pan with the lid and let the tea steep for about10 minutes. Remove the tea bags, add ginger and honey, and let the tea cool to room temperature. Transfer the tea to a large pitcher and refrigerate until chill. Enjoy!
You can also garnish the tea with lemon slices, apple, or peaches to further enhance the flavor.
6. Rooibos, Lemongrass and Ginger Iced Tea
If you like herbal teas and haven’t tried rooibos tea yet, you’re missing out big time. Also known as red bush tea, it has a gentle and incredibly smooth flavor with slightly nutty flavor. The herb also gives it a natural sweetness, eliminating the need for added sugar. When combined with lemongrass and ginger, it become all the more flavorful.
Ingredients
- Water – 1 litre
- Rooibos (red bush) tea – 6 tea bags
- Ginger – 3 tablespoons
- Lemongrass – 1 stalk
- Honey – 3 tablespoons
- Mint – as required, for garnishing
- Lemon slices – as required, for garnishing
Directions
Peel and slice the ginger. Remove the outer leaves from the lemongrass stalk and slice them. Add both the ingredients into a pot along with water and bring it to a boil. Let the concoction boil for about a minute before switching off the heat.
Now add the rooibos tea bags and let the tea steep for ten minutes. Remove the tea bags and add honey to the warm tea. Mix until honey is completely dissolved, then set aside to cool a bit before putting the tea in the refrigerator for a few hours.
Strain the tea and pour into serving glasses over ice. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and lemon slices, and enjoy your delicious and refreshing homemade herbal iced tea!
7. Berrylicious Apple, Rose Hip, Mint Iced Tea
Made with a combination of herbs, this iced tea is bursting with flavors. It’s sweet, tangy, floral, fruity, all at the same time.
Ingredients
- Water – 2 cups regular + 2 cups ice cold
- Dried hibiscus flowers – 10 to 12
- Fresh pineapple sage or apple mint leaves – 1 tablespoon
- Rosehips– 2 teaspoons, dried and seeded
- Raspberry leaves – 2 teaspoons dried or 4 teaspoons fresh
- Apple juice – a splash (or as per taste)
Directions
Add two cups of water into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil. Remove from heat and add hibiscus flowers, rose hips, pineapple sage or apple mint leaves, and raspberry leaves. Let the mixture steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Strain the tea and let it cool a bit. Now add two cups of ice-cold water and apple juice. Stir it and pour into serving glasses over ice.
8. Cold-Brewed Apple, Spearmint, and Lime Iced Tea
This cold-brewed herbal iced tea is super easy to make and tastes delicious. It’s fresh, citrusy, and fruity, perfect for a hot summer day.
Ingredients
- Water – 2 cups
- Freshly squeezed apple juice – 1 cup
- Spearmint leaves – 2 tablespoons fresh or 1 tablespoon dried
- Freshly squeezed lime juice – of 3 limes
- Crushed ice – as required
- Fresh mint leaves – as required, for garnishing
Note – Use a sweet variety of apples to naturally sweeten the tea and balance the citrusy lime flavor.
Directions
Add all the ingredients into a jar with a lid and keep it in the refrigerator overnight. Strain and pour into serving glasses over crushed ice. Garnish with mint leaves and enjoy!
9. Peach Mint Iced Tea
This minty, fruity, caffeine-free herbal iced tea only requires three ingredients and is super quick and easy to make but tastes amazing.
Ingredients
- Peach puree – 2 cups, chilled
- Dried mint leaves – 1 tablespoon
- Water – 4 cups
- Ice – as required
Directions
Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and add mint leaves. Cover with lid and let the mint leaves steep for about three to five minutes. Remove the lid and let the tea cool completely.
Pass the peach puree through a sieve to make sure there are no chunks. Add the puree to the cooled mint tea. Pour the tea into serving glasses over crushed iced and enjoy!
Our Final Thoughts
Herbs are one of nature’s best gifts to mankind, so take advantage of them. And what’s a better way to incorporate herbs into your daily life than herbal iced teas.
Homemade herbal iced teas are great alternatives to sodas, sparkling water, and all those store-bought beverages packed with sugar and empty calories. They are low in calories, refreshing, taste great, and offer a range of health benefits. Try out these tried and tested herbal iced tea recipes to enjoy herbs like never before.
Image Credits
Photo by Whitney Wright on Unsplash
