Looking for a refreshing beverage? Why not try Herbal Infused Iced Tea? The result is an iced tea with a deliciously refreshing taste twist!
Are you searching for a way to add some extra flavor to your iced tea? Why not try infusing it with herbs? A simple herbal infusion can give iced tea a unique and refreshing taste twist. By following these easy tips, you can enjoy herbal infused iced tea all summer long!
Won’t you join me on the porch for a glass of delicious Herbal Infused Iced Tea?
How Will I Know Which Herbs to Use?
It may take a bit of experimentation to determine which herbs you prefer. Each of the herbs will bring its own taste to the finished tea. Certain herbs make better teas. I recommend starting with one of these herbs: mint, cinnamon basil, lemon thyme, or lavender.
Mint is a popular herb to add to iced tea. It is very delicious with slices of lemon or lime added to the prepared Iced Tea. Cinnamon Basil adds a slightly sweet yet spicy hint of flavor. Lemon thyme has a light citrus flavor. Using lavender gives the Iced Tea a bit of a floral taste. Rosemary is another option. I find Rosemary to have a more distinctive piney taste and prefer it in a hot tea rather than a cold Iced tea.
It is fun to experiment with the different herbs to find your personal favorite!
How Do I Make A Herbal Infusion?
In order to extract the most flavor out of the herbs, you will need to know how to make a herbal infusion. An herbal infusion is simply a strong tea. The first step is to thoroughly wash the fresh herbs and gently pat them dry with a clean towel or some paper towels. Depending on the herb you have chosen to add to your tea, you may need to remove them from the stems before washing them.
Next, you want to gently bruise the leaves in order for the essential oil to be released. The essential oil of the herb is where the flavor comes from. Bruising can be done by simply lightly crushing them with your fingers. You can also use sharp scissors to cut them or crush them using a mortar and pestle.
Next, add the herbs to water that has been brought to a boil. Let this liquid steep for about 40 to 45 minutes. After the steeping process, strain out the herbs and chill the tea before serving over ice.
I would start with making an herbal infusion using a single herb. You can always experiment with adding additional herbs in various combinations once you find out if you like herbal infused iced tea!
Here is an easy recipe to get you started!
Cinnamon Basil Herbal Infused Iced Tea
Equipment
- saucepan nonreactive such as stainless steel
- measuring cup
- measuring spoon
- strainer
- tea ball or muslin bag to hold herbs if using dried herbs
- pitcher & glass to serve the finished iced tea
Ingredients
- 2 quarts water
- 4 tea bags can substitute loose tea, you will need 3 tablespoons loose black tea
- 3 cups fresh Cinnamon Basil leaves can use lemon basil or sweet basil if cinnamon basil is not available
- 1/4 cup sugar this is optional , some people prefer sweet tea
- orange, lemon or lime slices thinly sliced. Fruit slices are optional
Instructions
- heat 2 cups of water the boiling point. Remove from heat
- Prepare the infusion by adding the 4 tea bags or loose tea to the saucepan of hot water.
- Add the 3 cups of fresh cinnamon basil leaves that have been slightly bruised. Bruising the leaves allows the essential oils to be released.
- If using sugar to sweeten the tea, add it now. The sugar will dissolve better in the hot liquid.
- Let the infusion cool to room temperature. This could take 40 to 45 minutes.
- line a strainer with a coffee filter and place over a large glass measuring cup or pitcher
- After the infusion has cooled, strain the liquid into a pitcher or glass jar.
- Add fruit slices if desired. Refrigerate the tea until cold.
- Serve over ice. Garnish the glasses with a sprig of basil if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
How Do I Serve My Herbal Infused Iced Tea?
Once you’ve infused your iced tea with herbs, it’s important to serve and store it properly to maintain its flavor and freshness. Serve your tea over ice and garnish with fresh herbs or fruit for a beautiful presentation.
How Do I Store My Leftover Tea?
If you have leftover tea, store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days. Before serving again, be sure to stir it. Enjoy your refreshing and unique herb-infused iced tea all summer long!
Why Stop at One Herb When You Can Use More!
Now that you know you like herbal infused iced tea, it may be thyme to get creative! Try combining one or more herbs to make your own unique herbal infusions.
If you want to get even more creative, try combining them with other ingredients. Sliced citrus fruits or possibly strawberries are tasty additions to herbal iced teas. Various sweeteners like honey or stevia can be added to the herbal infused iced tea. Don’t be afraid to get creative and try new combinations to find your perfect iced tea recipe.
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General Tips When Using Herbs
When making herbal infusions for Iced Tea, you usually will be using fresh herbs. When working with fresh herbs, be sure to bruise the herb leaves by cutting or tearing them. This allows the essential oil of the herb to be released. The essential oil is what give the flavor to the recipe.
It is possible to use dried herbs in your herbal infusions for Iced Tea. Dried herbs have a longer shelf life. If you want to make a small batch of herbal tea using dried herbs, you can adjust the proportions with the following formula: Use 1/2 the amount of dried herb in place of the fresh herbs. For example, if the recipe calls for 4 cups of fresh herbs, you would use 2 cups of dried herbs.
To learn more about using dried herbs in an herbal infusion, please refer to this post:
Other Herb Related Posts you Might Enjoy:
How to Create A Dessert Garden
Although I am not a huge tea drinker, I do enjoy herbal tea from time to time, Pinned this one.
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