The Steaming Cup

Any kind of club soda or sparkling water will work in this iced tea

You could even make this with regular black tea, but the floral notes of jasmine are very nice.

• 4 cups water, boiling
• 3 tbs loose jasmine tea
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/4 cups sparkling water

Dissolve sugar in 3/4 cup of water, and boil gently until a syrup has formed. Set aside and let cool. Steep the jasmine tea in the remaining 3 cups of hot water for around 6 minutes. Strain out tea, and let cool slightly. In a pitcher, combine syrup and tea. Stir or whisk until fully blended. Add sparkling water and cool thoroughly. Serve over ice. Can be served with cinnamon sticks, lemon slices or mint sprigs.

A mix of zesty spices gives this iced tea an unexpected bundle of taste.

An iced tea, spiced with cloves and allspice. Basically, another variation of an iced chai tea. Spicy doesn’t have to mean hot. This recipe will still cool you down, but with some kick.

• 3 tbs loose tea
• 4 cups water
• 12 whole cloves
• 12 allspice berries
• 1 2-inch cinnamon stick
• Lemon wedges

Pour water into a saucepan and bring to a simmer with tea, cloves, allspice and cinnamon. Steep the mix for about 5 minutes. Strain out all the spices and tea leaves, and then put in the fridge to chill thoroughly. Serve this spiced ice tea with lemon wedges, over ice. Serves 4 people.

Honey is just wonderful in summertime iced tea

Very refreshing in the summer. I’ve always that that raspberry juice was the most summery of fruit juices. This recipe is nicely flavoured without being too sweet. Only honey, no sugar.

• 2 cups freshly-made black tea
• 2 cups raspberry juice
• 1/4 cup honey

Mix raspberry juice, tea and honey. Whisk until honey is dissolved. Serve cold over ice. You can substitute cranberry juice, instead of raspberry for a different taste.

Serves 4.

Ginger iced tea for something a little different

A strong iced tea, made with fresh ginger. If you’re looking for a change from the usual lemon iced tea, then you should give this bold ginger iced tea a try.

• 5 tbs loose black tea
• 5 cups water
• 1-inch chunk of fresh ginger

Peel and mince the ginger. Crush the ginger pieces to release the juice. Heat water to almost boiling, and steep the tea with ginger. Let steep for 9 to 10 minutes, on low heat. Strain out tea leaves and ginger. Add sugar to sweeten, if desired. Let cool and serve chilled over ice.

Creaming and still slightly tropical recipe for iced tea

This is a bit of an unusual recipe and you may have to search a bit to get coconut syrup. It is well worth the effort though you could use a few tablespoons of coconut milk instead if you needed to substitute.

• 1 cup black tea, cooled
• 1/2 cup ice
• 2 oz coconut syrup
• 1 oz heavy cream

Pour everything into a cocktail shaker and shake until mixed and frothy. Pour and serve immediately. Makes just one cup.

Cranberry iced tea is very refreshing, even if you are not in Boston

A wonderfully tart recipe for cranberry iced tea. The name comes from the cranberry bogs in the Boston area (so I’ve been told). Regardless, it’s a very refreshing drink for a summer’s day.

• 4 quarts water
• 1 cup sugar
• 15 tea bags
• 12 oz frozen cranberry juice concentrate

Heat water to boiling, and add sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Add tea bags, remove from heat and let steep for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove tea bags, and add cranberry juice concentrate. Stir until melted and mixed, then allow to cool to room temperate before refrigerating. Serve over ice.

You can't beat the smooth taste of honey blended in with your tea.

A sweet and fruity iced tea recipe. I really think that iced tea is thoroughly improved by adding a good dose of fresh summer honey. Sweet and smooth.

• 3 cups water
• 4 tbs loose tea (green or black)
• 1/3 cup honey
• 3 cups apple juice

Heat water to almost boiling, and steep tea for 4 to 5 minutes. Strain out tea leaves, and mix in honey and apple juice. Stir until honey is dissolved. Chill and serve over ice. Serves 6 to 8

Sweet and creamy. With just a smidgen of tea. You can enjoy this one right before bed.

This is one of the mildest tea recipes I have, with lots of milk and just a hint of tea.

• 2 cups milk
• 2 tbs loose black tea
• 3 tsp brown sugar

In a small saucepan, heat milk and sugar until just simmering. Remove from heat and stir in tea (or use 2 teabags). Let steep for 5 minutes, then strain out tea leaves. Serve tea warm.