Strawberry Infused Iced Tea

July 24, 2013 By

We get very excited about a summer rain here in Arizona because it gives a small window of relief from the summer heat.  We had a series of storms this past weekend and it cooled our pool down several degrees making my morning swim a bit more pleasant.  But the humidity afterwards can be unpleasant so when I came home from work I made this iced drink to cool down.

Strawberry Infused Iced Tea

Strawberry Infused Iced Tea
Serves 2
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Prep Time
5 min
Total Time
5 min
Prep Time
5 min
Total Time
5 min
Ingredients
  1. Strong Brewed Tea (any type will work) I used a Blueberry Herbal Tea (2 cups of hot water and 4 tea bags)
  2. Fresh Strawberries
  3. Water
  4. Stevia or Sugar, if desired
Instructions
  1. Quarter 4 strawberries.
  2. Half 6 strawberries and using a fork smash in a bowl until liquid forms. Add 1/2 tsp of stevia or sweetener of your choice into berries. Mix in 1/3 cup of water and mix until blended. Using a mesh colander strain berries and place juice into a small pitcher or a large mason jar.
  3. Add the tea and additional water as needed. Stir well or if using mason jar - shake.
  4. Fill a glass 1/4 of the way with ice.
  5. Place quartered strawberries on top of ice.
  6. Add more ice.
  7. Garnish with a strawberry if desired.
  8. Place the ice tea into the glass and Enjoy!
Deliciously Inspired http://www.deliciouslyinspired.com/
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 It is dark when I start my swim and the moon guides me.  Back and forth and soon the sky becomes lighter and lighter making everything clear that was once shadows.

Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
—Matthew 5:16

Swimming in am - 7-23-13

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Fruity Herbal Iced Tea

April 28, 2013 By

When you need something a little different from water – try bumping up the flavor of your beverage with herbal teas. This recipe may have quite a few ingredients but it’s not difficult to make.  Remember fun straws make beverages taste that much better.  

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Fruity Herbal Iced Tea
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Prep Time
30 min
Total Time
30 min
Prep Time
30 min
Total Time
30 min
Ingredients
  1. 2 Herbal Raspberry Tea Bags
  2. 3 Herbal Peach or OrangeTea Bags or you can use a combo - I used 2 peach, 1 orange
  3. 3 cups of Hot Water
  4. 1 Lemon, juiced - strain seeds
  5. 2 Tbsp of Stevia or Sugar
  6. 2 Tbsp of Coconut Sugar or Brown Sugar
  7. 2 Tbsp of dried mint soaked in 1/2 cup of hot water or fresh mint
  8. 1-1/2 cup of strawberries, optional
  9. Sliced oranges
  10. Cold water
  11. Ice
Think of this recipe as if you were writing a book - one simple chapter at a time
  1. Chapter 1 - let's make the tea base.
  2. Place the tea bags and the 3 cups of hot water into a pitcher. Set aside to seep. The longer you let stand - the stronger the flavor.
  3. Chapter 2 - let's make the lemon simple syrup.
  4. Wash the lemon. Place the lemon into the microwave for 15 seconds. Warming the lemon will release the juice.
  5. Cut the lemon in half and juice the lemon into a small bowl. Place back into the microwave for about 30 seconds. Add the sugar and stir until sugars are dissolved. Set aside.
  6. Chapter 3 - the mint. If you have fresh mint - awesome. Clean and separate leaves (you decide the amount). Set aside. If you don't have fresh mint - place 1/2 cup of hot water in a small bowl and add the dried mint, making sure that all mint is moistened. Set aside.
  7. Chapter 4 (optional) - the strawberries. Clean and hull. Slice in half. They could be used just like this and be very pretty in the pitcher as they add texture and flavor. I took the strawberries and gave them a couple of twirls in my NutriBullet blender until it was smooth to create more of syrup.
  8. Chapter 5 - the orange. Wash. Cut the ends of the orange off. Then cut the orange in half and slice into thin slices.
  9. Chapter 6 - let's remove the tea bags. Give a gentle squeeze to the bags before throwing them away.
  10. Chapter 7 - let's put it together....Combine in a pitcher
  11. Fill 1/4 of the pitcher with ice
  12. Squeeze the ends of the orange - waste nothing
  13. Add the orange slices and strawberries
  14. Strain the mint water into the pitcher
  15. Add the lemon simple syrup
  16. Fill the pitcher with cold water
  17. Give a gentle stir to combine all ingredients.
  18. Fill a glass full of ice, pour and enjoy!
Notes
  1. If you enjoy an unsweetened tea - the sugar can be removed.
  2. Note: While I have everything out - I'll double this recipe and combine the tea, lemon simple syrup, mint water, and pureed strawberries into a large mason jar. Store in the refrigerator. Then when I want another pitcher of tea, I just add the ice, water and orange.
Deliciously Inspired http://www.deliciouslyinspired.com/
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3 cups of hot water and tea bags seeping 

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 The lemon syrup has been made and the mint water is seeping before being strained.  I love these heart measuring spoons my mom bought me years ago.

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