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Poolside Paradise Iced Tea

This delightful iced tea is infused with your choice of black, green, or herbal tea and sweetened to perfection. Enhanced with fresh citrus slices, berries, and a hint of mint, it's not only a thirst-quencher but a feast for the eyes too. Serve it up in a stylish pitcher garnished with vibrant edible flowers and fruit for a truly festive touch. It's the perfect way to keep cool, hydrated, and in high spirits as you soak up the sun!
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Prep Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 10 people
Calories 48 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Tea Kettle or Saucepan For boiling water
  • Measuring Cups To measure water and sweeteners accurately
  • 1 Pitcher For mixing and serving the iced tea.
  • Tea bags Essentail for brewing the tea
  • 1 Spoon or Stirrer For stirring the tea and mixing in the sweeteners and flavors.
  • 1 Knife For slicing fruits like lemons, limes, or oranges.
  • 1 Cutting board A surface to cut your fruits on.
  • 1 Ice Cube Tray (optional) If you want to make tea ice cubes to avoid diluting the drink.
  • 1 Fine Mesh Strainer (optional) If using loose-leaf tea or if you want to strain out any seeds or pulp from the added fruits.

Ingredients
  

Ingredients

  • 8-10 Tea Bags depending on desired strength
  • 2 quarts Water
  • 1/2 - 3/4 cup Sugar or Honey adjust to taste
  • 1-2 Lemons thinly sliced
  • 1 Lime thinly sliced
  • 1 Orange thinly sliced (optional, for added flavor and color)
  • 10-15 Fresh Mint Leaves
  • 1/2 cup Berries such as strawberries or blueberries for garnish and added flavor

Optional Additions

  • Edible Flowers For garnish (such as marigolds or pansies)
  • 1/2 cup Additional Fruit Juice like orange or cranberry juice for extra flavor

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Tea
    Boil 2 quarts of water in a kettle or a large saucepan.Once the water reaches a rolling boil, remove from heat and add 8-10 tea bags. If you're using black tea, let it steep for about 4-5 minutes. For green tea, steep for about 3 minutes. Herbal teas may vary, so check the packaging for recommendations.After steeping, remove the tea bags, making sure to squeeze them gently to extract all the flavors.
  • Sweeten the Brew
    While the tea is still warm, stir in 1/2 to 3/4 cup of sugar or honey, adjusting the amount based on your preferred sweetness. Stir until completely dissolved.
  • Cool Down
    Allow the tea to cool to room temperature on the counter, which should take about 30 minutes.
  • Add Fresh Flavors
    Add slices of lemon, lime, and optional orange to the tea. Toss in the handful of fresh mint leaves and any other optional fruit like berries.
  • Chill
    Transfer the tea to a pitcher or beverage dispenser and place it in the refrigerator. Chill for at least 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the tea to cool thoroughly.
  • Prepare to Serve
    Just before serving, add plenty of ice to the pitcher or dispenser to keep the tea cold.Optionally, add some edible flowers for garnish or a splash of additional fruit juice for extra flavor.
  • Serve
    Serve the chilled iced tea in glasses filled with ice cubes. Provide additional lemon, lime, or orange slices and mint leaves for guests who might enjoy extra garnishing their drinks.
  • Enjoy
    Encourage guests to enjoy their refreshing drink while relaxing by the pool.

Notes

For an adult-friendly version, add a splash of vodka, rum, or tequila to each glass before serving to create a refreshing spiked iced tea cocktail.
Keyword pool party, refreshing beverage, summer drink