With spring in bloom and the arrival of warmer weather comes a shift in what we eat and drink. And it’s no different with tea! I love to change over my tea cupboard for the season by switching to fruiter teas that can be enjoyed hot or iced, and paired with lighter spring and summer foods.
So put heavy or spiced teas in the back of your tea cupboard and save them for a rainy-day walk on the beach, and switch to teas filled with fruits, berries, and herbs. Refreshing and light, your body and taste buds will love you for it! Did you know there are several ways to enjoy fruit teas? Read on to discover 6 different ways…
Enjoy Fruit Teas – 6 Different Ways
ICED TEA
• For ICED TEA – Make fruit tea twice as strong as you would for hot tea (use 2 heaped teaspoons per cup of boiling water instead of 1) Steep 30 – 60 minutes and strain
• Sweeten to taste with your choice of sweetener, then chill
• Serve over ice or tea cubes
• Lovely garnished with fresh berries, fruit and a sprig of fresh herbs. Mint or basil is refreshing
FRUIT COCKTAILS
Make FRUIT TEA 2-3 times stronger (2 – 3 heaped teaspoons per cup of boiled water)
Steep 30 – 60 minutes and strain. Sweeten to taste if desired (not too much if using sweet liqueurs) then chill. Use chilled tea in the following ways
• For COCKTAILS – Add chilled tea, spirits and fruit of choice, ice or tea cubes and serve in wine or cocktail glasses
• For SUMMER COOLERS – Fill a tall glass halfway with chilled tea, add spirits of choice, ice or tea cubes, and top with soda water, tonic water, or sparkling beverage of choice
• For SANGRIA – Simply replace the juice in your sangria recipes with chilled tea. Add a variety of fruits, berries, citrus slices and herbs for a fabulous summer sangria!
ICED FRUIT LOLLIES 
• Make iced tea 3 – 4 times stronger for lollies ( 3 – 4 heaped teaspoons per cup of boiled water) Steep 30 – 60 minutes, strain, sweeten to taste, and chill
• If desired, stir plain yogurt into cooled tea for a creamier Lollie, or so it will freeze less solid
For adult Lollies, omit the yogurt and add a small amount of spirits of choice. Too much alcohol and you’ll have a slushie instead of a frozen Lollie
• Add fresh fruit, berries, or both to molds and fill with chilled tea
• Freeze until firm and enjoy!
FRUITY TEA CUBES
• Make extra tea, chill and freeze into cubes or shapes
• Add edible flowers, herbs or both to tea cubes before freezing. They create lovely subtle flavours in the tea and gently emerge as tea cubes melt
• Frozen tea cubes don’t dilute drinks the same way that ice cubes do
• Toss tea cubes into plain water to create ‘flavoured’ water. Delicious, refreshing and the cubes keep the water colder longer
DON’T FORGET HOT! 
• Last but not least, enjoy fruit teas hot. They are especially lovely on a rainy summer afternoon
• Dine alfresco style and enjoy a hot fruit tea after dinner as the evening chills
• Hot fruit teas are delicious with the addition of sweet liqueurs, making a delightful evening nightcap!
