Is there any better summer drink than a cool, refreshing glass of iced tea?
Iced teas are a great thing to make at home yourself. Not only are they relatively quick and easy to make, but they are also so much healthier than the super-sugary alternatives you usually find in shops. I love to make a big jug of this recipe whenever we have guests over during summer, because not only does it taste great and is so refreshing, but it also just looks so colourful and inviting that I bet you nobody will be able to resist a glass of it.
The trick to making the perfect iced tea is to incorporate plenty of fresh fruits and leaves, so don't be tempted to leave them out! Not only are they essential for the overall flavour of the drink, but they really help to make the glass pop too, and give you that happy summer-holiday feeling...
It's like summer in a glass!
Ingredients (serves 4-6)
3 large oranges
2 lemons
650ml brewed Earl Grey tea (I use 3 teabags for this amount of liquid)
A handful of fresh mint leaves
1-2 tbsp agave syrup (optional)
Plenty of ice cubes
Method
Start by boiling 650ml of water. Place 3 Earl Grey teabags in a large teapot and pour over the water. Leave to brew for about 5 minutes before removing the teabags. Then, set the teapot to one side to cool completely (you can speed up this process by placing the teapot in a bath of cold water or placing it directly into a fridge).
Whilst the tea cools, juice 2 of the oranges and one of the lemons and pour the juice into a large jug.
Next, slice the remaining orange and lemon into wedges and add them to the jug. Top with some fresh mint leaves and plenty of ice.
When the tea is completely cooled, pour it into the large jug and mix. If you prefer a sweeter tea, mix in the agave syrup at this point too.
Serve immediately into individual glasses, and enjoy!
FAQs
Q: Should I add agave syrup?
A: Whether or not you add agave syrup is completely up to you! If you like the taste of unsweetened iced tea then you may find that you don't need to add any. However, if like me you have a bit more of a sweet tooth, you may prefer the slightly sweeter taste that the agave syrup adds. Either way, you can easily adjust this to suit your preference.
Q: Is there an alternative for agave syrup?
A: Personally I think that agave syrup works best for this recipe, but if you don't have any available then you can use regular white sugar instead. Note that whilst the agave syrup is liquid and will mix easily into the drink, the sugar may take some time to dissolve/incorporate, which is why I prefer agave syrup - plus it's a slightly healthier option too!
Q: How many servings does this recipe make?
A: This recipe will make enough for one big jug of iced tea, which I find is enough for about 4-6 people. For larger crowds, multiply the recipe!
Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
A: If you are planning on preparing this recipe ahead of time, I would recommend mixing the tea and fruit juices together and leaving them in a covered jug in the fridge. Then, mix in the fresh fruit wedges, mint leaves, and ice cubes just before serving. This way everything stays nice and fresh!