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.

 

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.