Most types of tea have a story behind them. Although America is not known for being a particular large consumer of tea until recently, we have two concepts that we can thank our American cousins directly for. Firstly, the term ‘English Breakfast’ was coined and popularised by an American and Iced Tea was first formerly served in America, at the St Louis world’s fair in 1904.
An Englishman, Richard Blechynden, was at the fair promoting Indian tea but he had not taken into account, the scorching mid-West Summer, and for the first couple of days he struggled to get potential customers to sample his freshly brewed hot tea samples. A practical man, Blechynden, filled a glass with ice cubes and poured tea over them and thus Iced Tea was born.
Over the years since its inception, methods of making iced tea have been significantly refined: Hot tea poured straight over ice cubes creates a quite a brownish liquor whereas steeping teabags or leaves in freshly drawn cold water creates a lovely reddish-amber liquid.
The best way of making iced tea is to brew about 50g of leaf tea in 2 pints or 1.2 litres of fresh cold water for at least 3 hours but preferably overnight. Using a fine sieve, strain the cold tea liquor into a large clean sealed container which can then be kept in the fridge and can then be used as desired. Black tea, green tea or rooibos as well as our wide range of flavoured teas can be used to good effect. The best way of serving a ‘plain’ iced tea is to pour the liquor into a glass over ice cubes adding a slice of lemon if desired. Using plenty of ice in the finished drinks, not only keeps them well chilled but also looks more attractive when serving.
To follow is a selection of recipes for a selection for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic tea cocktails and punches.
Alcohol-free Tea Cocktails
Apple Aperitif
1 pt (500ml) Iced black or green tea
1 pt (500ml) clear sparkling apple juice
1/4 pt (125ml) clear lemon juice
Sugar to taste
Garnish: apple slices
Method: Mix tea, apple juice and lemon juice together and add sugar to taste. Garnish with apple slices and serve well chilled over ice.
Serves 8-10
Fruit Fizz
1 pt (500ml) iced black tea
1/4 pt (125ml) orange cordial
1/4 pt (125ml) clear lemon juice
1 pt (500ml) sparkling mineral water or soda water
Sugar to taste
Garnish: assorted fruits
Method: Mix tea, lemon juice, orange cordial and sparkling mineral water together and add sugar to taste. Garnish glasses with assorted fruits and serve well chilled over ice.
Serves 8-10
Classic Iced Lemon Tea
1 pt (500 ml) iced tea
½ pt (125ml) clear lemon juice
Sugar to taste
Garnish: lemon slices
Method: Mix tea and lemon juice together and add sugar to taste. Pour over ice cubes and add lemon slices to garnish.
Serves 4-5
Tea Fizz
1 pt (500 ml) iced tea
1 pt (500 ml) lemonade
¼ pt (125 ml) lime cordial
Garnish: lime slices
Method: Mix tea, lemonade and lime juice together, garnish with lime slices. Serve over ice.
Serves 8-10
Verandah Fruit Cup
1 pt (500ml) iced tea
2 × 170 ml bottles ginger ale
½ pt (250 ml) soda water
¼ pt (125ml) lemon juice
¼ pt (125ml) orange cordial
Sugar to taste
Garnish: assorted fruits
Method: Mix tea, ginger ale, soda water, lemon juice and orange cordial together. Add sugar to taste. Garnish glasses with assorted fruits and serve well chilled.
Serves 8-10
Alcoholic Tea Cocktails
Planters Punch
1 pt (500ml) iced tea
1 pt (500ml) clear sparkling apple juice
¼ pt (125 ml) clear lemon juice
¼ pt (125 ml) brandy
Garnish: apple, lemon and orange slices
Method: Mix the tea, apple juice, lemon juice and brandy together. Add sliced fruit to garnish and serve well chilled over ice.
Serves 8-10
Rum Cup
1 pt (500ml) iced tea
½ pt (250ml) lemonade
¼ pt (125 ml) dark rum
¼ pt (125 ml) orange cordial
Sugar to taste
Garnish: orange slices
Method: Mix the tea, lemonade, rum and orange cordial together, add sugar to taste and stir well. Pour into glasses and garnish with orange slices. Serve well chilled over ice.
Serves 6-8
Russian Roulette
1 pt (500 ml) iced tea
¼ pt (125 ml) vodka
¼ pt (125 ml) lime cordial
Crushed ice
Garnish: lime slices
Method: Mix tea, vodka and lime cordial together. Pour over crushed ice and garnish the glasses with fresh lime slices.
Serves 4-5
Spiced Cider Punch
1 pt (500 ml) iced tea
1 pt (500 ml) sweet cider
2 lemons, sliced
2 cinnamon sticks
A few cloves
Sugar to taste
Method: Pour iced tea over the sliced lemons, cinnamon sticks and cloves. Allow to steep for 1 hour. Add cider and sugar to taste. Serve chilled over ice.
Serves 6-8
Strawberry Fayre
1 pt (500 ml) iced tea
1 pt (500 ml) sparkling white wine or Prosecco
Sugar to taste
Garnish: strawberries and mint sprigs
Method: Pour iced tea and well chilled white wine or Prosecco together and pour into tall glasses. Garnish with sliced strawberries and mint sprigs. Serve well chilled.
Serves 6-8
