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Cool drinks for warm days…

August 14, 2012 By Sandy

When warm summer days arrive, what is more refreshing than a delicious cool drink?
Being a tea and coffee drinking nation, adapting our favourite beverages is easy with a bit of pre planning and a freezer stocked with ice cubes.

Coffee:

  • Make coffee using your favourite method (cafetiere / filter / espresso).
  •  Add a bit of sugar while hot. At this stage you can start adding flavours – a couple of cardamon seeds, a bit of cinnamon or a hint of vanilla for example.
  • Once cool pop in the fridge to chill. Keep covered and this should keep well for a couple of days
  • Once chilled remove any flavouring items and taste. If the coffee needs more sugar, add at this stage. You can then add milk, grated chocolate, whipped cream, a scoop of ice-cream, ice cubes and enjoy.

Teas:

Fresh herbs from the garden:

  • If you like herbs the simplest thing is to pick some leaves of  your favourite herbs (one of the mints, lemon balm, rosemary, savoury, scented geraniums, sage etc).
  • Just use the leaves and not the stalks. Rinse gently (so as not to bruise the leaves), to remove any small insects etc.
  • Using a non metal container, pour boiling water onto the leaves and steep until flavour is to your taste.
  • Adding a dash of sugar enhances the flavour.
  • Experiment by mixing herbs (mainly peppermint with a hint of sage), adding some flowers (camomile, rose petals); using finely sliced lemon grass or freshly grated ginger; a slice / squeeze / zest of a citrus fruit..

Moroccon style mint tea.

Moroccan style mint tea
Moroccan style mint tea

 

Iced tea:

  • You need to experiment a bit as not all traditional teas are great cold.
  • Choose your tea (Lady Grey, Darjeeling …), and boil some water.
  • It is best to make up 1 litre or more. For this I find 3 tea bags work well.
  • Pour the boiling water over the tea bags and steep until the tea is a bit stronger than you would normally drink it.
  • Once brewed, remove bags and cool.
  • Add ice cubes and drink. You may find a bit of sugar enhances the flavour.
  • The tea will be a bit cloudy. this is caused by the tannins and nothing to worry about. Adding a squeeze of lemon can help clear the tea.

Water:

Water is really refreshing, just from the tap and chilled in the fridge. If you find this a bit boring, add one or more of the following to the jug and chill:

  • Sprig of mint;
  • rose petals;
  • slice of lemon / lime / orange;
  • piece of fresh ginger;
  • crushed lemon grass;
  • lemon balm;
  • borage leaves;
  • frozen raspberries
  • etc.

Vacuum flasks:

Whether you work in a warm office or are going for a walk, take your cool beverage in a flask (add ice) and sip on demand!

 

Filed Under: A few suggestions Tagged With: borage leaves, coffee, cool drinks, frozen raspberries, ginger, ice, ice cubes, iced tea, isced coffee, lemon grass, mint tea, Moroccan mint tea, teas, vacuum flask, water

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