iced tea Archives - HodgePodgeDays

We were sent the ChillFactor Neon Slushy Maker to test in exchange for using it in a recipe. All images and opinions are our own.

I love iced tea, and it’s a love which I share with my son. During the hot summer months, I quite often make up a batch of cool iced tea to keep in the fridge. It’s so refreshing and easy to make too. We were sent a ChillFactor Neon Slushy Maker to try out, and my first thought was GIN, but then I had a better second thought, which was chamomile and lime iced tea slushies. With the first sunny days of spring warming our bones, I whipped up a batch of my chamomile and lime iced tea and got to work making slushies with it. I am a genius.

Cool Drinks Ideas: Chamomile and Lime Iced Tea

The ChillFactor Slushy Maker is a simple bit of kit. It’s a silicone cup which you freeze, I freeze overnight for maximum slush. When you’re ready to make your slushy, pour your drink in and squeeze it and keep squeezing it for about a minute (this is where my 11 year old comes into his own). You should see slush form before your very eyes.

The slushy maker comes with a straw/spoon, so you can eat/drink/slurp your slushy from the cup. Though I prefer to have mine in a glass, if you keep it in the cup then it will keep it cooler for longer. Once you’ve finished, the slushy maker is reusable, just wash in warm soapy water after each use, re-freeze and its ready for you to make your next slushy.

We’ve used our slushy maker quite a lot since we got it. I like using it to make iced coffee even more icy. My son likes mixing fruit juices and creating his own frozen blend. We are really impressed with it, and it’ll really come into its own come summer. Here’s an Instagram reel of my son showing you how quick and easy it is to use the ChillFactor Slushy Maker.

Cool Drinks Ideas: Chamomile and Lime Iced Tea

Now, if you fancy the look of my chamomile and lime iced tea, which is somehow even more delicious in slushy form, then here’s my recipe.

Chamomile and Lime Iced Tea

Ingredients:

500mls boiling water
2 chamomile tea teabags
2 tablespoons of sugar
1 lime

How to make your chamomile and lime iced tea:

Boil the kettle and pour 500mls of boiling water into a heatproof jug. Drop in the teabags and sugar. Cut the lime into wedges and drop about half of the lime into the tea. Stir well and leave it to steep until it is cool. Once cool, cover and put in the fridge to chill for a few hours.

Remove the tea bags and lime, and serve over ice with some fresh lime wedges.

If you’re turning your delicious iced tea into an ice tea slushy, remove the tea lags and lime, pour approx 200-250mls into your frozen and prepared ChillFactor Slushy Maker and squeeze for approximately one minute. Either drink it from the slushy cup, or pour it into a glass and serve with some fresh lime wedges. It is divine!

We are big fans of the ChillFactor Slushy Maker. It’s perfect for turning individual drinks into slushy heaven. Now, I did say that my first thought was gin, it might be time for me to explore that in more depth! The ChillFactor Slushy Maker is available to buy online and in store now.

Cool Drinks Ideas: Chamomile and Lime Iced Tea

When the sun’s out and the mercury is rising there are two drinks I crave, shandy in a beer garden, or a large cool glass of iced tea. I usually buy the ready made iced teas and pour them over ice, but I decided it was time I tried to make my own. How hard could it be?

On cold days I love a steaming mug of English breakfast tea (Tetley if you’re wanting specifics). Because I’m so set in my ways I’ve managed to accumulate a cupboard full of herbal and fruit teas including a big box of Redbush tea. In a bid to make use of some of my tea reserves, I thought I’d try to make my own Redbush iced tea.

It was ridiculously easy to make, so much so I won’t be buying the ready made stuff again. Or at least until my brewing up cupboard is bare again.

Drinks: Fruity & Refreshing Iced Tea Recipes

Redbush & Peach Iced Tea
600mls boiling water
2 Redbush tea bags
4 teaspoons of runny honey
Half a lemon
I large sprig of fresh mint
I large, ripe peach

Method
Pour 600mls of boiling water into a jug, add two Redbush tea bags, cut a thick slice of lemon (approx 1.5cm thick) and drop it into the tea, add the honey and leave to steep for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

After 5 minutes remove the tea bags. Push the ripe peach though a sieve and add the sieved peach juice to the tea. Drop in the mint sprig and stir. Taste and add more honey if you’d like. Leave to chill in the fridge until cool.

When you’re about to serve, remove the mint and lemon and pour the tea over lots of ice. Garnish with a slice of peach and a slice of lemon.

Citrus Redbush & Lemon Iced Tea
600mls boiling water
2 Citrus Redbush tea bags
5 teaspoons of runny honey
Half a lemon

Method
Pour 600mls of boiling water into a jug, add two Citrus Redbush tea bags, cut a thick slice of lemon (approx 1.5cm thick) and drop it into the tea, add the honey and leave to steep for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

After 5 minutes remove the tea bags. Taste and add more honey if you’d like. Leave to chill in the fridge until cool.

To serve pour the tea over lots of ice. Garnish with a slice of lemon.

I’ve now got the homemade iced tea bug. I’m loving coming up with new ideas for what to make next. I’m a total convert to using Redbush Tea in these delicious iced drinks. I love that they’re caffeine free, packed with antioxidants and have a raft of other health benefits; but most of all, I love that they’re so easy to make and you know exactly what you’re putting into them.

Fruity & Refreshing Iced Tea Recipes