Summer is coming...iced tea for warm days.

Warmer weather and sunny days make me think of iced tea. We made a pitcher today, and it was so good I had to post about it.

Here is one of the easiest and tastiest ways to make it. A actually makes it for me (of course I pour the hot water).Pick 3-5 tea bags. I usually use 3 green tea, and then 1-2 herbal bags (peppermint, peach, jasmine, etc.). If you want the tea to have more of a tea color (green tea is pale), add a bag of black tea. You can of course use loose teas. A likes to open the packets and then twist all the strings together so they are easier to pull out at the end.

Put the tea bags into a pitcher. I use a 2-liter size since it fits into the fridge. Heat water just to a boil. Pour it over the tea, filling pitcher 3/4 full. I like to use raw honey to sweeten. Sweeten to taste when still warm so honey dissolves --- stir. Depending upon what is growing in the garden the boys also collect lemon balm or mint leaves - we add 4-8 leaves per pitcher for added flavor. Let cool. Squeeze out tea bags, remove bags & herbs, and discard.


A nice way to make it even more delicious - Grind up a few tablespoons of some crystallized ginger with a mortar & pestle (kids LOVE to grind). Lightly rim a glass with some honey. Dip it into ginger powder. It gives it an extra flavor and is quite amazing. I have seen people licking all the way around the rim of the glass! :)


In general, the boys help with about everything that we make in the kitchen. They love helping, the focus and attention to detail are great, and they are so proud when they remember the process, the ingredient and the quantities!