You already know the many benefits of drinking herbal tea. Enjoying them on ice is a great way to reap the health benefits and beat the heat, too! Here are 10 common herbs to use in your iced teas all summer long.
Many of these herbs can be found at local farmer’s markets or well-stocked grocery stores. Better yet, plant a few of your favourites and you will soon be sipping your own home-grown blends. You may find you have a few growing in your garden already. All these herbs make wonderful hot teas, too!
Mint: One of my all-time favourite herbs for tea, mint has a cool refreshing taste, perfect for after-meal sipping. Mint is incredibly easy to grow (just watch it doesn’t take over your garden!) and comes in so many different varieties. Mint promotes digestion and is a natural stimulant, the perfect pick-me-up on a sluggish summer day.
Lemon Balm: If you love a little lemon in your iced tea, this is the perfect herb for you! This member of the mint family is just as easy to grow (and will also happily take over your garden!) It is full of antioxidants, can soothe an upset stomach, and helps ease stress and anxiety. Sometimes I will just throw a few handfuls in a pitcher of water to make a lemon-infused water like this one.
Borage: Borage’s flavour is refreshingly reminiscent of cucumber. It also has many health benefits and is wonderful mixed with lemonade.
Chamomile: Probably best known as a calming night-time tea, chamomile also makes a wonderful iced tea, and is particularly nice when mixed with mint.
Lemon Verbena: Another lemony favourite, and also an aid to digestion and a pick-me-up that fights stress and fatigue.
Basil: Not the first herb you think of when it comes to tea, but one worth trying! Basil is another herb that aids in digestion and is also an immune-system booster. No summer colds here!
Lemongrass: Another one of my favourites! It has a beautiful fresh lemony flavour. As with the other lemon herbs, it is great for digestion and the nervous system.
Ginger: A zippy ginger tea can be wonderfully refreshing on a hot day. It is also lovely paired with any of the lemony herbs. Ginger is full of healthful and healing properties, strengthening the immune system and even easing the pain of sore muscles, which may be just what you need after a day out working in the sun.
Lavender: A soothing tea to sip at the end of a long hot day. Mix it with chamomile and you might find yourself falling asleep under the stars.
Raspberry Leaf: Much has been written about the benefits of raspberry leaf, especially for women. With a tea-like taste, this is a great caffeine-free substitute if you are craving a cool glass of old-fashioned iced tea.
Simple Brewing Instructions
There are many ways to brew herbal iced tea. To keep things simple, I brew a pot of very strong hot tea, then pour it into a pitcher with cold water and/or ice, and chill until ready to serve. For a pretty presentation, garnish with lemon, cucumber, fruit, edible flowers, or fresh herb leaves.
What are your favourite herbs for summer-time teas?
Want more info on growing herbs? Visit our Spotlight on Herbs series or other herb-related articles.