Last week the Pacific Northwest was touched by a brief taste of summer. Or maybe a tease of summer. The sun was out, the temperature was hot, and I was very content. I love the heat. We spent every evening out on our tiny little deck in our thrifted vintage lawn chairs watching the eagles get chased by birds and the evening ferry loaded with commuters, come into dock. It was so relaxing to soak up the sun and a perfect addition to this was a cold glass of homemade ice tea.
In those few rare weeks a year that it is actually hot here, I take my jar of herbal tea mix and instead of brewing it for a warm cup of tea, I instead brew it by the gallon. My original recipe for the mix can be found here.
To make it iced, I grab 2 large gallon jars and I boil the kettle with hot water. I fill one of the jars with about 1/3 cup of the dried tea.
Dried tea mix of Chamomile, Rose Hips, Red Raspberry Leaves, Peppermint Leaves & Lavender.
I fill the glass jar half way with cold water from the faucet. I next add the boiling water. I add the two different temperatures to ensure that the jar doesn't break and that the tea is hot enough to make the tea.
Tea & water in jar after it has been stirred. It looks a bit like something out of a sci-fi movie though...
It only takes about 10 minutes to brew with this method. Using a strainer, I pour the jar of tea through the strainer and into the other jar.
I add agave to the tea after it has been strained to give it a faint sweet flavor.
I still remember as a young girl, walking out to our wooden stairs on our back porch to see if the tea was ready to drink. I even remember the disappointment when it was still too light in color to bring in. Of course it was regular sun tea back then but I still loved the stuff, especially with a 1/4 cup of sugar per glass. I drank it all summer long with lots of ice and my favorite twirly straw. I even loved to crunch on the sugar crystals as they made their way into my mouth. I can't think of summer without sun tea and now I have a healthier version drink and to share with the children. Of course as I write this our hot summer has long since disappeared. It's back to warm sweaters in the morning. But maybe I'll still make the tea and pretend that it is hot outside. A girl can dream.
Sounds refreshing! No sweaters needed here. I try to get out in the yard for a few chores before 10 a.m. and then wait until 6 p.m. to spend much time out again. It is 81 degrees at 10 a.m.! We are also very dry. I have been watering each morning and evening!
Blessings,
Lorilee
Posted by: Lorilee | June 08, 2009 at 07:59 AM
This sounds really good. I was drinking tea just across the Sound from you - during last week's heat spell. Hope that wasn't our summer!
Posted by: Vicki K. | June 08, 2009 at 08:34 AM
Love the pics. Looking forward to returning to NY to try it (and crossing my fingers that the summer has actually begun). Thanks for the nudge. Haven't tried agave as sweetener - wonder if it's better than stevia.
Posted by: Julie Anna | June 08, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Yummmmmm......sun tea. I'm going to have to add that to my Summer Foods Wishlist. I remember my mom & grandma making it with plain Lipton, mint leaves, and a ton of sugar.
Posted by: Alicia | June 08, 2009 at 03:15 PM
something tells me this is not the sweet tea we raise babies on in the south? lol!
Posted by: Dana Jones | June 08, 2009 at 03:59 PM
This sounds Heavenly!! I am going to try it soon!! Thanks!!! :-)
xoxo
Jane
Posted by: Jane | June 08, 2009 at 05:55 PM
I have been crazy for tea alchemy lately. I have been putting brown rice syrup in our tea. Tastes like a warm bit of heaven...
Posted by: Puanani | June 10, 2009 at 05:18 PM
mmm that looks refreshing!
Posted by: monique | June 10, 2009 at 11:30 PM
I remember sun tea too. I'd make some right now if we had sun. Will we ever see 80 degrees? I hope so.
Posted by: Betts | June 11, 2009 at 06:06 AM
If we could only share a glass together ...
Posted by: sandy | June 11, 2009 at 12:36 PM
What a lovely post with gorgeous pictures!!
I too remember making "sun tea" as a child, I enjoyed reading about your memories! We are addicted to making home made lemonade, I think mixing it up with your ice tea recipe would be fantastic : )
Posted by: gardenmama | June 11, 2009 at 04:33 PM
If you have a moment, could you share the exact measurements of each herb you use to make the tea? It sounds really good. Thank you. :)
Posted by: BlueCastle | June 11, 2009 at 10:38 PM
it sure does look refreshing, it wasn't at first though, but i will try it out too.
Posted by: antique cabinets | June 14, 2009 at 12:11 AM
Hi Selena and thanks for the recipe for that delicious tea. I can't wait to try it. I might have to search a bit for that agave but hey, I'm in San Antonio, can't be to hard right? lol!
I have been meaning to drop by but we have had so many graduations and our last one was Tuesday...thank heavens! Our last houseguest will be leaving in about an hour. Then peace and quiet!
Hope you and the family are doing well.
Deanna :D
Posted by: Deanna | June 14, 2009 at 11:41 AM
That looks so GOOD! Thanks for sharing the pics...
Posted by: Dime Store Thrift | June 15, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Yeah! It is very ideal to make an iced tea this summer. I'll never try that recipe and now I wanna try it seems so delicious. Thanks for sharing.
-krisha-
Posted by: buy lipton tea | June 15, 2009 at 11:57 PM
Yum! I've got to try this! Love your blog, keep up the good work :)
Posted by: Beccy | June 19, 2009 at 02:31 PM
Yummy! Now I’m thirsty, can I have some?
Posted by: Boracay hotel | July 10, 2009 at 04:19 AM
support your idea
I think at the end of winter has finally arrived and with it the summer heat, holidays and a greater need to quench thirst. Nothing like the te that besides being very tasty, and is healthy and natural gas that contain no calories or offers comfort. It is therefore the best alternative to traditional soda.
Posted by: viagra online | May 20, 2010 at 03:03 PM
Yum! I will be making this! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Mikey @ Shabby French Cottage | March 22, 2011 at 08:00 AM