As we welcome the Australian summer, it's time to start brewing up a storm with delicious iced organic teas! The best bit about these herbal teas is they are a healthy alternative to sugar-filled, carbonated beverages we tend to reach for when temperatures peak. 

Pair the refreshing taste of our favourite herbal teas with their fabulous cooling properties, and you've got the recipe for a stunning Australian summer, sipping on iced teas in the glorious sunshine.

Let's check out our Tea Life™ top five organic teas for summer and some fantastic ways to sip them in style!

Drift Away with Chamomile Tea

At TeaLife, we are constantly singing the praises of this classic staple in everybody's tea caddy. Chamomile tea, known for its calming benefits, can help you drift off to a peaceful slumber when it is too hot at night!

Many of our customers enjoy their Chamomile tea with a bit of added honey for sweetness and served over ice in summer, but the possibilities are endless! Whether you opt for a little citrus twist or a cheeky splash of vodka, Chamomile tea is the versatile organic tea you need in your collection all year round!

Chamomile Citrus Splash Iced Tea

Here is an awesome recipe for Chamomile tea with a twist! If you prefer brewing loose-leaf tea, feel free to adapt the recipe to suit! 

Ingredients:

• 4 chamomile tea bags
• 4 cups of water
• 1 lemon
• 1 orange
• 4-5 tablespoons of honey or sweetener of your choice
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Boil 4 cups of water and pour it into a heatproof pitcher. Add the chamomile tea bags and let them steep for about 5-7 minutes. Remove the tea bags and allow the tea to cool to room temperature.
2. While the tea is cooling, prepare the citrus twist. Slice the lemon and orange into thin rounds. Set aside a few slices of each for garnish.
3. Squeeze the remaining lemon and orange slices into the cooled chamomile tea. Add 4-5 tablespoons of honey or sweetener to taste. Stir well until the sweetener dissolves completely.
4. Fill glasses with ice cubes and distribute the citrus slices equally among them.
5. Pour the chamomile citrus tea into the glasses over the ice and citrus slices.
6. For an extra refreshing touch, garnish each glass with a slice of lemon or orange and a sprig of fresh mint.
7. Serve immediately and enjoy your revitalizing Chamomile Citrus Splash Iced Tea! Feel free to experiment with the citrus fruits or add a splash of sparkling water for a bubbly twist.

Mix up a massive batch for summer garden parties and serve as a non-alcoholic punch, or brew a big pitcher to sip on throughout the day!

Cool Off with Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea is another summer staple for your tea caddy. With its rich colour and sweet flavour, you'll reach for this cooling tea more often than you can count.

But Hibiscus tea isn't just a sweet treat in the Aussie heat! Hibiscus tea has been shown to have a cooling effect on the body, especially when consumed in its iced variety.

Since we love Hibiscus tea so much here at TeaLife, we already have a few fun and flavourful recipes on our tea blog and journal! Check them out if you fancy experimenting with this gorgeous herbal tea!

Outback Breeze Hibiscus Iced Tea

This fun recipe is a real treat for your taste buds! With the berries and mint, you will feel like you're sipping on a summer mocktail as you take in the summer sun 

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of water
• 6-8 hibiscus tea bags
• 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen mixed berries (such as strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries)
• 1-2 tablespoons of honey or agave syrup
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and add the hibiscus tea bags. Let them steep for 10-15 minutes to infuse the water with the hibiscus flavour. Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool to room temperature.
2. While the tea is cooling, prepare the mixed berry syrup. Combine the mixed berries and honey or agave syrup in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the berries break down and the mixture thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and strain the syrup to remove any seeds or solids. Set the syrup aside to cool.
3. Once the hibiscus tea has cooled, transfer it to a pitcher. Add the sliced lemon and stir in the mixed berry syrup. Mix well to combine all the flavours.
4. Fill tall glasses with ice cubes and pour the hibiscus tea mixture over the ice.
5. Garnish each glass with a slice of lemon and a sprig of fresh mint for an extra Aussie touch.
6. Stir gently and enjoy the cool and refreshing Outback Breeze Hibiscus Iced Tea on a hot summer day! Feel free to adjust the sweetness by adding more syrup or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a zesty kick.

Of course, if loose-leaf tea is your preference, you can use the same amount of tea leaves for 6-8 tea bags and grab your favourite tea infuser instead!

Enjoy a Classic with Rooibos Tea

Another popular blend on our online store is Rooibos tea! If you find yourself in a summer slump, reach for Rooibos for a caffeine-free kick to your mornings!

Not just a caffeine-free energy booster, Rooibos tea is bursting with antioxidants that aid brain function, support eye health and prevent various nasty diseases. What's not to love?

Of course, the main selling point for this classic herbal tea is the taste! Rooibos tea is a sweet and slightly nutty beverage that will keep you reaching for a second mug every time! Here's a handy recipe to get started brewing iced Rooibos tea this summer:

Aussie Sunset Rooibos Refresher

We all know Australia is a vibrant canvas of colours that really pops over the summer, so why not reflect the beauty of those colours in your summer drinks?

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of water
• 6-8 rooibos tea bags
• 1/2 cup of pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup of mango nectar
• 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
• Slices of fresh pineapple and mango for garnish
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Boil 4 cups of water in a saucepan. Remove from heat and add the rooibos tea bags. Let them steep for about 5-7 minutes, or as per the package instructions, to allow the tea to infuse into the water. Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool to room temperature.
2. While the tea is cooling, prepare the tropical twist. Mix the pineapple juice, mango nectar, and honey or maple syrup in a small bowl until well combined. Set aside.
3. Once the rooibos tea has cooled, transfer it to a pitcher. Stir in the tropical juice mixture and mix thoroughly.
4. Fill tall glasses with ice cubes. Pour the Rooibos Refresher over the ice.
5. Garnish each glass with slices of fresh pineapple and mango. Add a sprig of fresh mint for an extra flavour and a touch of Aussie summer vibes.
6. Give it a gentle stir, sit back, and savour the delightful taste of the Aussie Sunset Rooibos Refresher! Feel free to adjust the sweetness or add more fruit slices for an extra tropical punch. Enjoy this refreshing beverage on a warm summer day, imagining the vibrant Australian sunset hues!

Cherish the Aussie sunset as you kick back with your mates, sipping on a mug of health-boosting Rooibos tea!

Glorious Green Tea

What better way to sip yourself to a picture of summer health than reaching for a cup of Green tea? Whether you're aiming to moderate your weight to achieve that bikini body or you want to boost cognitive function, Green tea is another herbal remedy that deserves its place in every tea collection.

Often enjoyed with honey, Green tea can be brewed and enjoyed with various flavours, used in skincare, or even incorporated into your cooking to make the most of all its fantastic benefits.

We've got plenty of Green tea recipes and remedies on the tea blog, but let's check out our ultimate summer iced Green tea quencher recipe!

Down Under Green Tea Quencher

Enjoy a tasty herbal tea green drink while celebrating Aussie summer! Sit back, relax and enjoy the benefits of green tea!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of water
• 4-6 green tea bags
• 1/4 cup of honey or maple syrup
• Juice of 2-3 limes
• 1 cup of diced kiwi fruit
• 1/2 cup of diced cucumber
• Ice cubes
• Kiwi slices for garnish
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Boil 4 cups of water in a saucepan. Remove from heat and add the green tea bags. Steep for about 2-3 minutes to avoid bitterness. Adjust steeping time according to your preferred strength. Remove the tea bags and allow the green tea to cool to room temperature.
2. Meanwhile, prepare the fruity elements. In a blender, combine the diced kiwi fruit and cucumber. Blend until smooth. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to extract the juice, discarding any solids. Set the fresh fruit-cucumber juice aside.
3. Once the green tea has cooled, pour it into a large pitcher. Stir in the honey or maple syrup and the freshly squeezed lime juice. Mix well to dissolve the sweetener.
4. Add the fruit-cucumber juice blend to the pitcher with the green tea mixture. Stir until thoroughly combined.
5. Fill tall glasses with ice cubes and pour the Green Tea Quencher over the ice.
6. Garnish each glass with slices of kiwi and a sprig of fresh mint to give it a touch of Aussie freshness.
7. Give it a gentle stir and relish the invigorating Down Under Green Tea Quencher! Feel free to adjust the sweetness or add more citrus for a tangy twist.

For loose-leaf tea lovers, pop enough loose-leaf tea for 4-6 cups into your infuser or grab our organic tea bags to make your own bagged tea!

Beautiful Blue Peaflower Tea

Blue Peaflower tea is the colour-changing brew that has taken social media by storm! From a stunning blue reminiscent of something from Harry Potter to a captivating purple with just a squeeze of lemon! Make the most of this magical beverage by serving it at every summer get-together this year!

We've covered the benefits of Blue Peaflower tea in a blog post. Still, if you want a refresher, this herbal tea can help ease inflammation, boost your antioxidant intake and stabilise your blood sugar levels!

So, we've compiled a fun recipe for you to enjoy Blue Peaflower tea this summer for a glass of colour-changing magic! Whether you make a big batch for an adult gathering or bring out the mocktail mixology magic for a kid's party, we know you'll love our recipe!

Magical Blue Peaflower Lemonade

Revamping the classic lemonade with some Blue Peaflower tea is a real power move to cement yourself as the life of the party and the ultimate beverage brewer this summer!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of water
• 4-6 tablespoons of blue peaflower tea
• 1/2 cup of honey or simple syrup (adjust to taste)
• Juice of 3-4 lemons
• Slices of lemon for garnish
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and add the blue peaflower tea to the hot water. Allow the blossoms to steep for about 5-7 minutes or until the water turns a vibrant blue. Strain the tea leaves and let the blue tea cool to room temperature.
2. Once cooled, pour the blue peaflower tea into a pitcher. Stir in the honey or simple syrup and the freshly squeezed lemon juice. Mix well until the sweetener dissolves completely.
3. Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the blue peaflower lemonade over the ice.
4. Garnish each glass with a slice of lemon and, if desired, a sprig of fresh mint for added freshness and colour.
5. Now, for the fun part! Add a splash of citrus juice (like lime or even more lemon) to a portion of the blue peaflower lemonade in a separate glass to showcase the magical colour-changing effect. Watch as the pH changes, transforming the blue hue to a stunning violet or pink shade right before your eyes!
6. Stir gently and enjoy the enchanting and refreshing Magical Blue Peaflower Lemonade! Experiment with different citrus juices to create mesmerising colour variations, and surprise your friends and family with this delightful colour-changing drink on a sunny summer day!

Add a dash of edible glitter if you really want to play to the magical side of this refreshing summer beverage!

Join the Tea Life™ Club

If summer sipping is your passion, then why not save yourself some cash this sunny season? Sign up for our newsletter for $5 to spend in our store and receive a further $5 when you join our tea club! Earn points as you shop to spend on expanding your tea collection or treating yourself to some new tea-themed accessories!

What are you waiting for? Grab your tea and get brewing to make the most of the summer months! Whether you're a beach bum or a shade seeker, you'll stay refreshed with our iced herbal tea recipes this summer!

References

Brown, M. J. (2023, March 20). 5 health benefits of rooibos tea (plus side effects). Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/rooibos-tea-benefits

Gospodarczyk, T. (2022, December 10). The benefits of butterfly blue peaflower tea. Tea Life. https://www.tealife.com.au/blogs/tea-recipes-and-journal/the-benefits-of-blue-pea-flower-tea

Gunnars, K. (2020, April 6). 10 evidence-based benefits of green tea. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-green-tea#2.-May-improve-cognitive-function

Hoshaw, C. (2021, May 21). Herbal spritzers, recipes, and sunburn remedies to cool you off this summer. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/cooling-herbs-to-help-you-beat-the-heat

Morales-Brown, P. (2020, January 6). 8 benefits of chamomile tea. Www.medicalnewstoday.com. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320031