Water is probably the best drink you can have during a hot summer day! Drinking at least 2 litres of water or more during the day helps your body dissipate excess heat – especially if you’re exposed to a high-temperature environment. A lot of people struggle with drinking water and rather opt for beverages full of sugar. Instead of hydrating on drinks detrimental to your health, why not opt for some tasty and healthy Iced Tea? Let’s look at some thirst-quenching recipes. 

1. Rose Iced Tea 

Ingredients: 

• Handful or rose petals fresh or dried
• Cardamom – 2 crushed 
• Green Tea – 1 bag 
• Raw honey – 1-2 tsp 
• Hot water – 1 cup 
• Ice cubes or chilled water 

Method: 

1. Put rose petals, crushed cardamom and a green tea bag in a glass jar. Pour 1 cup hot water over this. Let this sit for 15-20 minutes. 
2. Remove the tea bag after 3-5 minutes if you don’t want to make it very strong. 
3. Add raw honey or any sweetener of your choice (avoid processed sugar) and mix well.
4. Strain the rose petals. Fill a glass ¾ with ice cubes & pour this tea over ice cubes or add chilled water. Your refreshing rose tea is ready! 

2. Fennel Coconut Tea 

Ingredients: 

• Fennel seeds – 1 tbsp 
• Coconut water – 1.5 cup chilled 
• Green tea – 1 bag 
• Raw honey – 1 tsp 

Method: 

1. Heat 1 cup water in a saucepan. Add fennel seeds & boil until it reduces to half. 
2. Add the green tea bag for a few minutes. 
3. After a few minutes, remove the teabag and strain the tea in a tall glass. 
4. Add raw honey and mix well. 
5. Pour over chilled coconut water and enjoy.

3. Apple and Cinnamon Tea 

Ingredients:

• Apple – ¼ cup chopped or thinly sliced 
• Cinnamon – 2-inch stick 
• Cardamom – 1 crushed 
• Green tea – 1 bag 
• Raw honey – 1 tsp 
• Water – 2 cups 

Method: 

1. Boil 2 cups of water with cinnamon and cardamom for 5 minutes. 
2. Turn off the gas, add a teabag to this and cover for 5 minutes. 
3. Put apple slices in a glass jar and pour the boiled mixture over this after removing the teabag. 
4. Add honey and mix well. Keep this in the fridge for minimum of 30 minutes to let the flavours infuse. After 30 minutes, strain and serve.

4. Pineapple and Ginger Iced Tea

Ingredients:

• Pineapple – ¼ cup finely chopped 
• Ginger – ½ inch thinly sliced 
• Mint leaves – 4-5 
• Lemon juice – 1 tsp 
• Green tea – 1 bag 
• Raw honey – 1 tsp 
• Hot water – 1 cup 
• Ice cubes

Method: 

1. Put all the ingredients, except honey and ice cubes in a glass jar. 
2. After 5 minutes, remove the green tea bag, add honey and mix well. 
3. Let this sit for another 30-60 minutes at room temperature. 
4. Now fill a tall glass halfway with ice cubes, strain and pour the tea mix.

5. Orange Peel Tea

Ingredients:

• Peel of half an orange or kinnow
• Water – 2 cups
• Green Cardamom – 2 crushed 
• Cloves – 2 
• Cinnamon – 2 inch stick 
• Green tea – 1 bag 
• Raw honey – 1 tsp 

Method: 

1. Boil cardamom, cloves and cinnamon with water for five minutes. 
2. Kill the flame and add the green tea bag and orange peel in this. Cover for 5 minutes.
3. Strain the mixture, add honey and let it cool in the fridge for 30 minutes at least before serving.

Tips and Highlights of the Iced Tea Recipes 

• These recipes can help you fight inflammation, boost digestion, improve immunity and also aid you in removing toxins. 
• These iced tea recipes can be a great addition to your routine to curb hunger pangs and promote weight loss. 
• If any of these flavours become your favourite, you can lock in those flavours in the form of ice cubes and preserve it for a few days to enjoy it without waiting. 

We hope you try these recipes and enjoy them. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below. For more healthy recipes, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to cooking sessions on GOQii Play. 

Stay home, stay safe, hydrate well and #BeTheForce