Whether you’re at your favorite Southern barbecue or lounging in the backyard, savoring a cold glass of iced tea has long been a celebrated ritual. This sweet concoction was first documented in the late 1870s, where it was commonly enjoyed on hot summer days alongside railroad stations or within hotel restaurants. Since then, variations on iced tea have flourished, creating dozens of recipes suitable for garden hangouts and lazy evenings.
In these recipes, you’ll find iced tea blended with a yogi’s favorite treat: superfoods. Each tea features at least one ingredient that provides a powerhouse of nutritional benefits, so you can have your tea and drink it, too.
Black Cherry Iced Tea
Pictured at top
Serves 2–3
Dark as a gemstone and sexy as heck, black cherries are a fantastic summer treat. In addition to their tart flavor, cherries possess flavonoids and procyanidin, which help protect neuronal cells, combat oxidant stress, and fight mental disorders such as dementia, among other benefits. They also contain melatonin, which can be helpful for providing a good night’s sleep or warding off jet lag. The coriander adds a subtle spice, and the lemon and vanilla tie everything together to create a summer drink worth celebrating.
INGREDIENTS
4 cups brewed green tea
1 cup tart cherry juice
1 cup frozen, pitted cherries
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp agave (or sub for a few drops of raw stevia)
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp vanilla
Lemon wedges and frozen cherries, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
Add all of the ingredients (minus the garnishes) to a blender or Vitamix and purée until combined. Serve with sliced lemon wedges and frozen cherries over ice.
Dandelion and Pineapple Iced Tea
Dandelion tea has an earthy, sweet flavor and provides a vast array of health benefits, making it a great platform for iced tea. The weed-like superfoods act as a diuretic, and helps maintain kidney health by clearing out excess water, salt, and waste. It is also said to clear out the liver by balancing out hydration and electrolytes. The lime and pineapple add the perfect touch of summer, making this the ultimate summer refresh drink.
Serves 2–3
INGREDIENTS
4 cups of hot water
3 dandelion tea bags (I use the vanilla variety)
Juice of 2-3 limes
1 cup of pineapple juice
Honey to taste
Fresh pineapple and limes, to garnish
DIRECTIONS
Heat the water in a large kettle or pot until boiling. Remove the water from the heat, and add the teabags. Allow to steep for about five minutes. Cool for one hour.
Add the lime and pineapple juices and honey, if desired. Stir to incorporate. Serve over ice and garnish with lime wedges and pineapple.
Indian Mango Iced Tea
India is known for their tea. And while I love a good cup of chai or Darjeeling, summertime demands something a bit more refreshing. This iced tea is made with mango purée, creating a silky and tropical drink perfect for a summer afternoon. Mangos are also a nutritional powerhouse, and can aid in fighting cancer, alkalizing the body, regulating digestion, and strengthening the immune system. But the benfits don’t stop there. Mangos also possess glutamine acid, which helps to increase concentration, and Vitamin E, which can help regulate the sex hormones and boost libido.
Serves 2–3
INGREDIENTS
2 medium sized alphonso mangoes
4 cups brewed black tea (I used a brand infused with lemon)
3/4 tbsp lemon juice
Organic unrefined cane sugar, agave, or stevia to taste
Mint leaves to garnish
DIRECTIONS
Peel and chop the mangoes. Add them to a blender and puree until smooth. Add the black tea, lemon juice, and sugar, and blend again. Serve in tall glasses with ice and garnish with mint, if desired.
Photos by Amanda Kohr.
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Amanda Kohr is a 24-year-old writer and photographer with a penchant for yoga, food, and travel. She prefers to bathe in the moonlight rather than the sun, and enjoys living in a state of the three C’s: cozy, creative, and curious. When she’s not writing, you can find her driving her VW Bug, looking for the next roadside attraction or family diner. She also roams the internet via her blog at cozycaravan.com.