Iced Tea!

A sure sign that summer is here is my family's increasing desire for iced tea, which we have worked down to a science, albeit a simple one!

The Basic Formula:

3-4 tea bags
1-2 Tbsp raw, local honey
1 quart boiling water
pitcher

In a pitcher (which we like to hunt for in thrift stores), place the tea bags and squeeze or spoon in the honey. Boil 1 quart of water, and pour it over the tea bags and honey in the pitcher. Stir and let steep for 10-15 minutes, depending on how strong you like it. I like my iced tea to have a light flavor. Let it stand and cool to room temperature, and then serve over ice or refrigerate, covered.

We like to experiment with different flavors, especially fruity flavors. Our favorites come from Celestial Seasonings. I also like just plain chamomile because you can dress it up with different flavors. My favorite is a combination someone once showed me using chamomile tea, honey, fresh thyme, and fresh plums. It is AMAZING and very unique.

We keep a pitcher of iced tea around all the time during the summer, and it's a much healthier alternative to soda. There are so many benefits to tea- bioflavanoids and quercitin in black tea, antioxidants in green tea, calming properties in chamomile, and digestive properties in peppermint, just to name a few. The important thing is that it's homemade- unlike the store bought brands, which are loaded with sugar, flavorings, and preservatives, and which I don't even think taste like tea. It's a healthy, inexpensive, non-alcoholic drink that is truly refreshing during the summer months.