Herbs on Ice – Summer Teas

Forget caffeine-filled Red Bull and sugar-laden soft drinks. For nourishing refreshment, nothing quenches better—or is easier to prepare—than herbal iced tea. There are many ways to take herbs for wellness – a tea to relax you after a hectic day, a capsule to help support your immune system or in a salve, poultice or bath to sooth the bumps and bruises of life. But at this time of year, nothing could be better than an icy-cold herbal tea, prepared with the very best natural, holistic herbs. Make your own with the help of the sun. Use your favorite herbs alone or in combination. Drink them plain or sweetened, or mixed with juices, sparkling waters, or natural sodas. Serve them to guests, but make them part of everyday family fare, too. To make herbal sun tea all you need is a large glass jar or pitcher, fresh water, and herbs. Try about two heaping tablespoons of herb per quart of water. Place the herbs in the container and fill with cold water. You can tie the herbs in cheesecloth or place them in a muslin bag or tea infuser first for easy removal. Cover the container. Set your container in a sunny place and let nature do the brewing. No need to set a timer—just leave the tea until it’s as strong as you prefer it. When the tea looks and tastes ready, bring it in and take out the herbs. Squeeze them before discarding to release all the flavor into the tea. Store the container in the refrigerator and serve over ice. Note: There’s some concern that brewing tea in the sun can harbor bacteria, and this is a possibility. That’s because the water will get warm enough to provide a friendly environment for the bacteria, but not hot enough to kill it. To minimize the risk, use a perfectly clean container (scrub it in soap and hot water and rinse well) and don’t leave the tea to steep for more than a few hours. Make just enough tea for the day, and keep it refrigerated. If the tea becomes thick or syrupy, discard it. (By the way, teas that contain caffeine are less prone to bacterial contamination.) CITRUS HIBISCUSrnThis colorful beverage brings a vacation on the beach to mind. 1 tsp. peppermint rn1 tsp. rosehips rn1 tsp. orange peel rn2 tsp. hibiscusrn2 tsp. lemongrassrn2 cups water?rn1 cup orange juice?rn1 cup cold sparkling water?rn2 Tbsp. honey (or to taste) Steep peppermint, rosehips, orange peel, hibiscus, and lemongrass in the two cups of water. Strain. Add orange juice and refrigerate. When ready to serve, pour over ice cubes and add a splash of sparkling water to each glass. Sweeten if desired. Find more delicious sun and herbal tea recipes on frontiercoop.com. Serving Suggestions • Combine herbs for interesting combinations. Good options include: chamomile or alfalfa and mint; lemon herbs (like lemon verbena, lemongrass, lemon balm) and mints; sage and lemon herbs; peppermint and elder flowers; hibiscus and lemon verbena or rosehips; alfalfa and mint; clover and spearmint; licorice root or spearmint and rosemary. • Include spices in your teas for added depth. Cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, allspice, and ginger are good bets. • Citrus enlivens almost any iced tea. Use fresh lemon or lime juice, slices, or peels and/or granulated lemon. • Chill your serving glasses ahead of time, and prop a piece of fruit (a strawberry, lime, orange, or lemon slice) on the edge.