In hot weather, an iced tea beverage can be refreshing as well as satisfying between meals or at any other time of day. Iced tea can also be lower in calories and offer more health benefits than cola or other commercially prepared soft drinks. Additionally, homemade iced tea offers other benefits not found in prepared teas on the market, including ability of the individual to regulate the ingredients, avoid undesired additives, and experience less cost and greater savings.
There are many good iced tea recipes to try for the person who likes variety, is adventurous, and who enjoys experimenting in the kitchen. Some iced tea recipes are also lower in calories and appeal to dieters as well as to others trying to maintain a desired weight. Here are a couple of my favorite iced tea
recipe creations that taste good and are quick and easy to prepare:
#1. Orange Cranberry Iced Tea
Ingredients: 4 cups water, 3 cups light cranberry juice cocktail, 8 orange flavored teabags
Directions: Boil water and cranberry juice in large saucepan. Remove from heat. Add teabags and let steep for 7-8 minutes. Remove teabags, pour in pitcher, and place in the refrigerator until cold. Take out quantity desired and pour into glass or glasses over ice.
Notes: Be sure to remove any paper or labels from the teabags before placing them in the water. Add a non-caloric sweetener, if desired. Reduce or increase the amounts of the ingredients if smaller or larger quantities of the beverage are needed or for personal taste preferences.
#2. Zero Calories Vanilla Maple Iced Tea
Ingredients: 5 cups water, 4 vanilla maple flavored teabags ( Celestial Seasonings brand Vanilla Maple Decaf is my favorite choice and one you may want to try for yourself.)
Directions: Boil water in saucepan. Remove from heat. Add teabags and allow to steep for 7-8 minutes. Remove teabags, pour in pitcher, and place in the refrigerator until cold. Take out quantity desired and pour into glass or glasses over ice.
Notes: While this tea has a naturally sweet taste, you can add a non-caloric sweetener in the desired amount. Additionally, reduce or increase the ingredient amounts as needed or for personal taste preferences.
Have fun with your iced teas and experiment for variety and interest. Offer the teas whenever you get together with family and friends. They may appreciate something a little different rather than the usual sodas, iced coffees or other beverages they may be accustomed to. Additionally, you can serve the iced teas in frosty glasses in a variety of attractive colors and designs that may add a little interest and conversation. Enjoy!
