Watermelon Iced Tea

First Published on 02/11/2014, updated on 04/06/2021

What Is Iced Tea?

In fact, Iced Tea or Ice Tea is simply a cold tea. Usually, tea is brewed and chilled. Then it is served with ice cubes, a sweetener and a slice of lemon.  And hey presto you’ve got a refreshing summer drink. Nowadays so many different flavors are available or one can make at home. Cold herbal teas too are referred to as iced tea.

Origins Of Iced Tea

Specially, iced tea was mentioned way back around 1823 by Marguerite Countess of Blessington who wrote of sipping it in Naples. Furthermore,Iced tea recipe appeared in a cookbook way back in 1870s. It is believed that Iced Tea appeared in US around 1860s.At first it was a novelty and by 1870s appeared on the menus of restaurants and was sold at railway stations.

Modern Time Iced Tea

Indeed, Iced Tea can be served with milk like as in Thai Iced Tea, which has sweetened condensed milk added to it. Chai Iced Tea is becoming common where tea spice mixture is added. Fresh or dried flower infused ice teas is fast becoming popular. Adding fruits and fruit juices or purees allows one to make a variety of iced teas. Yes, some add a shot of alcohol too!

Some Iced Tea Recipes You May Want To Check Out

When it becomes really hot in Mombasa, starting from December all through to April May, I love making different varieties of Iced Tea to enjoy in the afternoon. Cannot think of sitting with a hot mug of tea in the sweltering heat.

• Lemongrass and Mint Iced Tea – not only are both lemongrass and mint flavorful, but also have lots of health benefits.
• Fresh Orange Iced Tea – I love this one as it is a different way to enjoy both fresh orange juice and tea.I use either normal black tea or green tea.
• Another favorite of mine, Passion Fruit Iced Tea, I use fresh passion fruit juice. I sometimes combine it with some orange or mango juice.
• Vegan Thai Iced Tea – while the original Thai Iced Tea is made with sweetened condensed milk, I make it coconut milk at home to reduce the sweetness.
• Lavender & Fennel Herbal Tea – can be enjoyed both hot and cold.
• Blueberry Iced Tea – Iove making this iced tea when blueberries are in season. Simply love the ruby red colour of this cool drink.

Memories

Every year I complain to hubby that it is the hottest year. And for sure temperatures every where in the world are on the rise due to Global Warming. When we moved to our present apartment in 2012, we could see lots of trees from every window we looked out from. Fast forward to the present and some areas have been cleared away… old big trees have been chopped down to make way for second hand car yards. And these seem to be increasing every year. Large patches of trees are being cleared for apartments too. In short our visibly green areas are fast disappearing.

Now it is increasingly become difficult to spot neem, coconut, tamarind, mango, moringa trees in my area. That was not the case a few years back. Even if new apartments plant trees they usually are the thin tall Ashoka trees.

Ingredients Required For Watermelon Iced Tea

Fresh Watermelon Juice – so easy to make at home. Chop watermelon into pieces and process in a blender. Strain it if you don’t like the seeds. I usually process it without adding any water.

Mint Leaves – preferably fresh, you need about 12-15 leaves

Water – normal tap water

Tea – either tea bag or loose tea leaves. I have used black tea leaves.

Sweetener – of your choice. Can use sugar, maple syrup, honey, coconut sugar, jaggery. I’ve used honey. Add sweetener according to your taste. If watermelon juice is sweet you will need less sweetener.

Salt – just a pinch to bring out the flavors.

Dietary Tip:

• Gluten Free
• Vegan if you don’t use honey
• Vegetarian

WATERMELON ICED TEA

mayurisjikoni

Watermelon Iced Tea is a refreshing, cooling, flavorful summer time drink. Easy to make at home, it is free of any artificial flavorings or colour. A healthy drink to sip on while you laze in the garden or take it along for a picnic.

5 from 4 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Chilling Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course beverage, Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 2

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup watermelon juice
• 10 -15 mint leaves
• 1 cup water
• 1 tea bag
• 2 tsp honey or sweetener of your choice
• a pinch of salt
• ice cubes to serve
• 2 tbsp watermelon, finely chopped optional

Instructions

 

• Bring the water to a boil.
• Add tea and mint leaves. Cover and let the tea steep for 5 minutes.
• Remove the tea bag. Leave for extra 5 minutes if you want a stronger tea flavour.
• Let the tea cool down a bit.
• Add the sweetener, salt and water melon juice.
• Mix and chill till required.
• Remove the leaves.
• To serve, add ice cubes to the glass and pour the iced tea over it.
• Add finely chopped watermelon and decorate with  mint leaves, Serve.

Notes

• If you don't have tea bags, use loose tea leaves about 1 tsp. Strain the mixture after 5 minutes.
• I've also made this with basil leaves and its tastes delicious.

Keyword easy watermelon iced tea recipe, homemade watermelon iced tea

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