Summer Breeze Ice Tea

Blackberry Summer Breeze Iced Tea

The Texas heat can be cruel, but some of the good things about summer include tubing on the river, BBQ with friends, and Iced tea. With the summer garden at its peak, there are plenty of fresh herbs to choose from to make blended iced tea. Some herbs immediately spring to mind: the mints, lemon balm, and lemon ­verbena. There certainly are others, including some of the familiar culinary herbs, that provide cooling refreshment as the temperatures soar. I have grown a small herb garden this year so that I am able to use my own herbs. Blended with your favorite tea and mixed in a blender with ice and fresh fruit makes a delicious treat that is sure to sooth your soul. Don't forget to keep all the poultry cool its going to be a hot one. I have also included a tea for chickens, yes they like tea also.

Blackberry Summer Breeze Tea



•  1 part ginseng root or tea with ginseng
•  2 parts Black tea (can substitute green tea)
•  fresh Blackberries (raspberries can also be used)
•  honey to taste (or sugar to taste)

Brew ginseng root, and black or green tea and let set until it cools down. Pour part of this mixture into a small one serving blender and  blend with enough ice cubes to fill the blender up about 3/4's. Next toss in Berries, honey and blend for several more seconds. Pour into a tall glass with ice cubes. 

*Note if you can not find ginseng root you can use a tea that has ginseng in it.

Refreshing Orange Mint Iced Tea



• 2 parts lemon balm

• 1 part lemon verbena

• 1 part mint
• black tea
• orange slices
• honey to taste (or sugar to taste)
• dash of lime or lemon juice

 Brew lemon balm, lemon verbena, mint and black tea and let set until it cools down. Pour part of this mixture into a small one serving blender and  blend with enough ice cubes to fill the blender up about 3/4's. Next toss in orange slices, honey and a dash of lime or lemon juice and blend for several more seconds. Pour into a tall glass with ice cubes.

Citrus-Spice Tea



• 1 part bee balm
• 1 part orange mint

• 1 part lemon basil
•  green tea
•  fresh orange slices
•  honey to taste (or sugar to taste)

 Brew bee balm, orange mint, lemon basil and green tea and let set until it cools down. Pour part of this mixture into a small one serving blender and  blend with enough ice cubes to fill the blender up about 3/4's. Next toss in orange slices, honey and blend for several more seconds. Pour into a tall glass with ice cubes.

Mediterranean Green Tea



• 1 part marjoram

• 1 part rosemary
•  green tea
•  fresh Kiwi fruit (peeled)
•  honey to taste (or sugar to taste)

 Brew marjoram,rosemary and green tea and let set until it cools down. Pour part of this mixture into a small one serving blender and  blend with enough ice cubes to fill the blender up about 3/4's. Next toss in Kiwi fruit, honey and blend for several more seconds. Pour into a tall glass with ice cubes.

Green Apple Energy Tea



• 1 part green tea
• 1 part ginseng
• 1 part rosemary
•  fresh apples sliced
  
•  honey to taste (or sugar to taste)

 Brew ginseng, rosemary and green tea and let set until it cools down. Pour part of this mixture into a small one serving blender and  blend with enough ice cubes to fill the blender up about 3/4's. Next toss in apples, honey and blend for several more seconds. Pour into a tall glass with ice cubes.

 * Persons restricting calories can use an artificial sweetener instead of honey or sugar

 

Hydrating Herb Tea

 (for Chickens)

• 2 parts alfalfa tea
• 1part thyme
• 1 part rosemary
• 1 part marjoram
• 1 part rose hips
•  red cell
  
•  honey to taste

 Brew alfalfa, thyme, rosemary, rose hips and marjoram and let set until it cools down. Pour part of this mixture into a gallon jug until it is half full and fill rest of jug with cool water. Leave room for 2 teaspoons of red cell and some honey. Shake well. I use recycled containers that I have saved such as margarine containers, cottage cheese bowls and other small dishes.  I give it to them in the smaller bowls as needed. Serve cool but not too cold.

 * TIP: You can dry rose hips and feed them to your chickens. Click here to learn how.