These days, non-tea-drinkers categorize our fun loving group into two stereotypes: the zen and serene / the pretentious (and possibly British). I'm sure the health-conscious are thrown somewhere into the mix. This
weekend, I vow to throw those preconceived notions to the wind and let lose with a high in tea, low in calorie, summer cocktail. The days are warm and the nights are long, what better time than now? Move over Long Island Ice Tea, there's an electrifying new antioxidant-rich drink on the block. Enjoy...
ELECTRIC HONEYDEW
1 Tbsp green tea leaves (White Monkey Paw green tea works great)
1 Tbsp dried chamomile leaves
2 oz gin
3 leaves anise-hyssop
2 oz pureed honeydew (puree in blender)
3/4 oz lemon juice
1/4 oz agave syrup
1 fennel frond, for garnish
In a jar or glass, mix green tea and chamomile leaves with gin and let sit for 3 hours at room temperature. Muddle anise-hyssop leaves, then combine with tea-infused gin, honeydew puree, lemon juice, and agave in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass and garnish with a fennel frond.
MAKES 1 SERVING
Calories: 178
Recipe courtesy of Women's Health Magazine
Here is a fantastic "dessert in a cup" recipe with our favorite tisane, Fruity Dream. This drink is also the best way to maintain your hard earned figure for the summer without sacrificing taste.
Ingredients (per serving):
1. One heaping tablespoon of Fruity Dream herbal tisane
2. One teaspoon of honey
3. One cup boiled filtered water
4. Ice, cubed or crushed
5. Whipping cream
Combine tea and honey in a teapot. Add filtered water, just below boiling temperature and steep for 4 minutes. Stir until honey dissolves. Strain brewed tea mixture over ice in a blender. Blend to your desired thickness. Serve with whipping cream on top or a grapefruit slice garnish to really live it up.
Where would we be in the deadly summer heat without a tall glass of iced tea? This next series will explore the various methods of cooling off with some creative ways of utilizing tea. The first entry was actually inspired by a billboard I noticed while driving around town. It was an ad from McDonald's introducing their newest beverage: sweet iced tea. This prompted me to share with ya'll my Texan mother-in-law's amazing sweet tea recipe that she serves with every meal called Orange Mint Iced Tea.
Southerners serve sweet iced tea year round at home and even in restaurants. When Southerners order tea in a restaurant, chances are they will get sweet ice tea. What's interesting is outside of the southern states, iced tea is typically served unsweetened or “black,” and most people have never heard of sweet tea. What's genius about my mother-in-law's recipe is that its sweet factor is not so overpowering to make your face curl. In fact, one sip of this refreshing "air-conditioner in a cup" and your sure to be hooked!
Orange Mint Iced Tea Recipe:
1. Pour 6 cups of boiling water over 1 cup of fresh mint leaves or one tablespoon of Morrocan Mint Tea.
2. Let steep for 15 minutes.
3. Stir in 3/4 cup sugar and 1 cup reconstituted orange juice.
4. Serve over ice with a sprig of mint.
Enjoy!
Ice cream is one of the best and worst coolants of summer. Best because it tastes sooo good and worst because its sooo bad for you. Here's a delicious tisane recipe that's packed with healthy components like anti-oxidants and tannins that serves as a simply fantastic dessert substitute for a scorching hot day:
Blueberry Smooth-Tea:
1. Two tablespoons of Blueberry Syrup herbal tea
2. Two tablespoons of White Peony Tea
3. One teaspoon of honey
4. 4 cups boiled water
5. Ice
Combine Blueberry Syrup, White Peony tea and honey in a teapot. Add boiled water and steep for 5 minutes. Strain the brewed tea over ice in a blender to your liking. Blend to your desired consistency. Transfer to an ice cream glass. Adjust sweetener if necessary. Add a swirl of whipping cream on top if you dare!
For as comforting as tea is, these days I've been prioritizing refreshment even more. Enter: iced tea. Although research has shown that 20% of teas boastful antioxidants are lost when cooled, the quintessential lemon slice delays the reduction, giving me enough time to enjoy all the benefits of tea time. No wonder over 80% of the tea served in the United States today is iced.
