5 Iced Teas with a Kick

With summer here, everyone wants a cold drink. Instead of grabbing a soda or lemonade, why not try an iced tea? There are plenty out there to help you relax and enjoy a nice, warm day. Here are several recipes for iced teas that use our favorite herbs in order to give them a bit of a kick.

Lemon Balm Punch

This lemony punch made with ginger ale is a surefire stress reliever. 

2 Tbsp. Lemongrass

2 Tbsp. Lemon Balm Leaf

2 C. Water

1 Tbsp. Honey

2 C. Natural Ginger Ale

1 Tbsp.  Crystallized Ginger, sliced

Lemon slices

Steep the lemongrass and lemon balm leaf in water. Strain and add honey and ginger ale. Add the fresh lemon and crystallized ginger to the tea. The lemon balm leaf will relieve anxiety, and the entire drink will help you cool off.

Lavender Lemon Honey

This flowery iced tea is a mild stress reliever and will help ease you to sleep. 

4 Tbsp. Lavender Flower

4 Tbsp. Passion Flower

¼ C. Lemon Juice

¼ C. Honey

Crush the lavender flower and place it in a bowl. Add honey and lemon juice, and you’re done! The lavender’s known to make you drowsy, and the Passion Flower helps it along.  It’s a definite way to help your summer worries fade away.

Peach Pick-Me-Up

This peachy drink is full of Calamus root for energy and motivation. 

2 Tbsp. Dried Mint Leaves

8 Tbsp. Calamus Root

5 C. Water

2 C. Pureed Peaches, chilled

Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Steep mint leaves in hot water. Put the peaches into a sieve to remove the chunks. After the tea has cooled, add the peaches. Garnish with mint leaves. Mint has proven to help with sleep, so this drink will help you relax.

Chamomile Cooler

This tea is perfect for bedtime if you suffer from severe anxiety and insomnia. 

4 Tbsp. Chamomile Flowers

4 Tbsp. Blue Lotus Extract

4 Cinnamon sticks

1/4 C. Honey

1/4 C. Fresh Lemon Juice

Boil water. Add chamomile and cinnamon. Strain. Add honey and lemon juice. Chamomile helps relieve anxiety and stress. This drink is a simple way to cool down, in more ways than one.

Mint-Ginger Iced Tea

This minty tea is sure to get the juices flowing, thanks to the addition of damiana.

1/2 C Fresh Ginger, peeled and smashed

4 Tbsp. Damiana

4 Bags Mint Tea

8 C. boiling water

2 Tbsp. Honey

Mix ginger and mint tea in boiling water. Steep. Pour through sieve. Stir in honey. This drink will reduce your stress and get the blood pumping in all of the right places. It’s a yummy drink for a sexy summer evening!