While soothing sipped steamy hot, fruit teas also make fabulous iced teas! A healthy alternative to fruit juice and pop, chilled tea can be served over ice, frozen into kiddie treats or turned into dynamite cocktails. Garnish with whatever fruit is in season or blooming in the garden and enjoy a refreshingly delicious drink!

iced-blueberry-teaIced Blueberry Tea Recipe

INGREDIENTS
* 2 Tbls. Fraser Valley Blueberry Fruit Tea
* 3 Cups pure water, boiled
* Local honey (sweeten to your taste)
* Slices of lemon or orange
* Sprigs of fresh lavender, mint or basil
* Ice (or tea cubes – see tips below)

INSTRUCTIONS
* In a small sauce pot bring water to a full boil
* Turn off heat and add fruit tea
* Steep 30 – 60 minutes
* Strain and chill tea (can be made in advance)
* Fill 2 glasses with ice cubes and pour in chilled tea
* Garnish with fresh or frozen berries or fruit of choice
* Enjoy!

SERVINGS Makes 2 large servings of iced tea

TIPS
* Add another tablespoon of tea to the same amount of water in the recipe to make a stronger tea concentrate. Fill glasses 1/2 full of stronger tea and top with sparkling water or soda for a delicious bubbly summer cooler.
* Add a splash of gin or vodka and a drizzle of lemon or orange liqueur for a dynamite cocktail. Garnish with frozen blueberries and slice of citrus.
* Can be made 2-3 days in advance and kept in fridge. Or freeze in deli containers and thaw as needed.
* Freeze tea and berries into popsicle containers for iced treats.
* Make extra tea and freeze into tea-cubes. Use instead of water ice cubes so tea doesn’t become diluted as ice cubes melt.
* For more tips and ideas go to Fruit Teas.

NOTE: As with all herbs, leaves, roots and flowers, allergies and side effects are possible. Know your allergens and always check with your health care provider before consuming flowers for medicinal purposes.