5 Ways with Summer Sweet Tea

Although some may argue there is only one way to drink tea-sweet and iced-here are some refreshing must-try iced tea variations.

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas























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Blueberry-Lemon Iced Tea
Photo: Van Chaplin























Ingredients
1 (16-oz.) package frozen blueberries
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
4 cups water
3 family-size tea bags
3/4 cup sugar

Preparation
Bring 1 (16-oz.) package frozen blueberries and 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice to a boil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and pour through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a bowl, using back of a spoon to squeeze out juice. Discard solids. Wipe saucepan clean.

Bring 4 cups water to a boil in same saucepan; add 3 family-size tea bags, and let stand 5 minutes. Remove and discard tea bags. Stir in 3/4 cup sugar and blueberry juice mixture. Pour into a pitcher; cover and chill 1 hour. Serve over ice.

Related Article: Refreshing Summer Drinks

Lemonade Iced Tea
Photo: Jennifer Davick























Ingredients
3 cups water
2 family-size tea bags
1 (1-oz.) package fresh mint leaves (about 1 cup loosely packed)
1/2 cup sugar
4 cups cold water
1 (6-oz.) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
Garnish: fresh citrus slices

Preparation
Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a 2-qt. saucepan. Remove from heat, add tea bags, and stir in fresh mint. Cover and steep 10 minutes.

Remove and discard tea bags and mint. Stir in sugar until dissolved.

Pour tea into a 3-qt. container, and stir in 4 cups cold water and lemonade concentrate. Serve over ice. Garnish, if desired.

Related Article: The Great Iced Tea Debate

Blackberry Iced Tea






















Ingredients
3 cups fresh or frozen blackberries, thawed
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
Pinch of baking soda
4 cups boiling water
2 family-size tea bags
1 1/2 cups cold water
Garnishes: fresh blackberries, fresh mint sprigs

Preparation
Combine blackberries and sugar in a large container. Crush blackberries with a wooden spoon. Add mint and baking soda. Set aside.

Pour 4 cups boiling water over tea bags; cover and let stand 3 minutes. Discard tea bags.

Pour tea over blackberry mixture; let stand at room temperature 1 hour. Pour tea through a wire-mesh strainer into a large pitcher, discarding solids. Add 2 1/2 cups cold water, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Garnish, if desired.

Related Article: Boost Your Drink's Flavor with Simple Syrups

Peach Iced Tea






















Ingredients
3 (11.5-ounce) cans peach nectar
2 quarts brewed tea
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Preparation
Stir together all ingredients; chill until ready to serve.

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