Red Raspberry Iced Tea

When summer drinks hydrate and improve your skin health at the same time!

Photo: Sherazad Jamal

One of my favourite ways to stay cool through the summer is with a light, not-too-sweet Botanical iced Tea. This year the recipe came from Javid doing experiments at home for his job as an event coordinator at a local farm. We had a number of taste testing rounds and this one was the WINNER, hands down. 

We used tea leaves in bags for the base and then added to them to tweak the taste. Green tea and mint are a Moroccan tea staple, which I also like to have cold and sweet in the summer time. The Raspberry Zinger tea we use comes from Celestial Seasonings. It is a blend of red raspberry leaves, roseships, hibiscus, and orange peel. The added herbs from my garden elevate the tea to the next level.

The herbs and florals - mint, lemon balm, rose petals and red raspberry leaves -  can be used fresh or dried. They all come from my garden. I like to harvest and dry them throughout the summer so that I have some to use in the cold months. You can also add fresh fruit. Use the recipe as a base and then let your creative juices flow!

Ingredients that Improve your Skin health

Photo: Sherazad Jamal

Rose petals, lemon balm, mint, green tea, hibiscus, orange peel, lemon for skin, red raspberry leaf, and rose hips provide various bioactive compounds and phytonutrients that can offer potential health benefits.

•     Rose petals: Rose petals contain antioxidants, including vitamin C, polyphenols, and flavonoids. They may have mild anti-inflammatory properties and can contribute to a calming effect.
•     Lemon balm: Lemon balm is rich in antioxidants, particularly rosmarinic acid. It has potential calming and anti-anxiety effects, and it may help improve digestion and promote relaxation.
•     Mint: Mint leaves contain menthol, which provides a refreshing and cooling sensation. Mint is often used for its digestive properties and can help alleviate symptoms like indigestion and bloating.
•     Green tea: Green tea is loaded with antioxidants, particularly catechins like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). It may boost metabolism, support cardiovascular health, and offer potential protective effects against certain diseases due to its antioxidant content, like macular degeneration.
•     Hibiscus: Hibiscus flowers are rich in antioxidants, including anthocyanins, which give them their vibrant red color. Hibiscus tea is known for its tart flavor and is often enjoyed hot or cold. It may help support heart health and regulate blood pressure.
•     Orange peel: Orange peel contains essential oils and flavonoids. It is a source of vitamin C and other antioxidants. Orange peel tea is often used for its aromatic properties and potential digestive benefits.
•     Lemon juice, when used in tea, can provide a mild citrus flavor. It contains vitamin C and other antioxidants.
•     Red raspberry leaf: Red raspberry leaf tea may support uterine health and helps alleviate abdominal cramping. It also contains vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, iron, and potassium.
•     Rose hips: Rose hips are a rich source of vitamin C and also contain other antioxidants, such as carotenoids and flavonoids. Rose hip tea is often enjoyed for its fruity flavor and potential immune-boosting properties.

Red Raspberry Iced Tea Recipe

The amount of ingredients used in the receipt is all to my taste. If you find the tea too weak, then add more of everything. If you find it too strong, just add water.  

The tea also makes a beautiful, light tasting mixer with a neutral tasting alcohol like vodka, gin, tequila or white rum, for a light summer cocktail.

INGREDIENTS
6 cups filtered or distilled water
2 tea bags of Green Tea (approximately 1 tablespoon)
2 tea bags of Raspberry Zinger tea or fruity tea of your choice
2 Tablespoons dried mint leaves or 4 sprigs fresh mint
2 tablespoons dried lemon balm or 4 sprigs fresh lemon balm
2 tablespoons dried red raspberry leaves
2 tablespoons dried or fresh rose petals 
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
1/3 cup sugar or sweetener of your choice. Add more to taste

METHOD
Put all the ingredients in a pot and bring it to boil. Turn off the stove when the rose petals have lost their colour and let the tea steep for a few minutes. Strain out the tea while it is still warm. Add sugar or sweetener and stir it in until dissolved. Now, put in in the fridge and let it cool down. Serve with ice, slices of lemon, sprigs of mint.
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ENJOY!

Sherazad Jamal is founder, formulator and chief bottle washer at Free Lion Body Care. When she's not testing out a new formula, making batches of Body Care products or fulfilling orders, she can be found puttering about in the garden, hanging out with loved ones, working on an art project or staring into space, dreaming a new dream. ​