Photo: Leigh Loftus
Iced tea is one of the most classic summer refreshers — and it should be. Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world next to water, and can be found in almost 80% of all U.S. households.
Even better, iced tea is the perfect mixer for a summer cocktail. From fruity to floral to downright spicy, we have a few ideas to turn even the most basic iced tea into a serious summer treat.
You can find most specialty teas at Whole Foods or at a tea shop like Chicago’s TeaGschwendner, a specialty tea shop in Chicago where we like to stock up. Peach Bourbon Lemonade is a perfect refresher for a hot summer day when you feel like something that will cool you off, and still pack a punch.
Included below are two other tea cocktails that I made on CBS Chicago recently. Cheers!
- 4 cups brewed peach iced tea
- 2 cup coarsely chopped peaches
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about six lemons)
- 4 cups ice
- ½ to ¾ cup bourbon
- Combine the first three ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 3 minutes. Slide the pan off the heat, and let the peach mixture cool for 20 minutes. TIP: You can substitute ¾ cup peach juice in lieu of fresh peach and sugar mixture to save time.
- Using a regular blender or an immersion blender, blend the mixture until it’s smooth. Pour it into an airtight container, and chill it in the fridge for at least 3 hours. Strain the peach mixture through a sieve over a bowl. Keep the liquid, and toss the solids. Stir in the lemon juice and bourbon. Place ½ cup ice in each glass, and add about ⅔ cup peach tea.
- ½ cup pureed watermelon (strained)
- 2 cup cold brewed green tea
- ½ cup vodka
- 1-2 tablespoons agave nectar
- Puree about 2 cup fresh watermelon and strain through a mess strainer until you have ½ cup of juice. Add to 1 cup of cold brewed green tea. Stir and add ½ cup vodka or gin. Serve over ice.
- 1 lemon, cut into 6 sections
- 1½ cups cold brewed white elderflower tea*
- 1 bottle chilled Champagne or Prosecco
- ¾ (about ½ pint) cup lemon sorbet
- Squeeze each lemon section into a glass. Add 3 teaspoons of elderflower cordial to each glass. NOTE: If you aren't able to find elderflower tea, use your favorite white tea and add 3 tablespoons St. Germain or elderflower liqueur.
- Top slowly and carefully with chilled Champagne or Prosecco. Garnish with a heaping tablespoon lemon sorbet.
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July 2, 2014 at 2:32 pm[…] SUMMER PEACH BOURBON LEMONADE (PICTURED) […]
Tea Inspired Cocktail Recipes « CBS Chicago
June 21, 2014 at 10:32 am[…] — For recipes for tea based cocktails, click here. View Comments blog comments powered by Disqus var disqus_url = […]