5 Tea Recipes to Try This Summer: A Guide To Protect Yourself From Summer Heat

As the Indian summer sun blazes overhead, there’s nothing quite like a chilled glass of iced tea to rejuvenate the senses. 

In the sweltering heat of an Indian summer, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as an ice-cold glass of tea. Not only do these brews cool you down, they also offer a wealth of flavours, from delicate florals to tangy fruits, and health benefits ranging from antioxidants to digestive support. Below, you’ll find five refreshing tea recipes: Chamomile Iced Tea, Matcha Lemonade, Cherry Iced Tea, Earl Grey Iced Tea, and Mint Iced Tea, each thoughtfully adapted for the Indian kitchens and tastes. Alongside step-by-step instructions, you’ll discover tips, variations, and little anecdotes to make your summer sips extra special. Plus, a peek at how Freshleaf’s own sparkling teas can add a fizzy twist to your repertoire.

Why Iced tea is essential for Indian Summers

In India, where temperatures can soar above 40°C, staying hydrated is crucial. While water is essential, incorporating iced tea into your routine offers additional benefits:

• Hydration with Flavour: Iced teas provide a tasty alternative to plain water, encouraging increased fluid intake.

• Antioxidant Boost: Many teas are rich in antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress and support overall health.

• Digestive Aid: Herbal teas like mint and chamomile can soothe the digestive system, especially after heavy meals.

• Calorie Control: Homemade iced teas can be a low-calorie alternative to sugary beverages, aiding in weight management.

Incorporating iced teas into your summer routine not only helps in staying cool but also supports your health and well-being. So, let’s get started.

5 Drinks You Should Try This Summer

1. Chamomile Iced Tea

Chamomile is a popular caffeine-free tea that can be prepared as an Iced tea. It has a delicate floral aroma and taste with a mild apple-like sweetness. This easy Chamomile iced tea recipe will be your go-to when you want something refreshing and relaxing!

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The dried flowers of the chamomile plant are used to make herbal tea. Known for its delicate floral aroma and mild, sweet taste, this herbal infusion is often enjoyed for its soothing properties. It’s common to find in sleep teas as it can help with relaxation.

Why you should try chamomile Iced tea this summer

• Great for hot summer days or as a cooling drink any time of the year.

• Easily customise this recipe with various flavours and additions.

• Healthier, hydrating option when compared to sugary store-bought iced teas or sodas.

• Naturally caffeine-free iced tea, so you don’t have to worry about drinking it late in the day!

Ingredients Notes

• Chamomile: This recipe has instructions for both loose tea and tea bags.

• Water: Freshly boiled as chamomile is an herbal tea that can handle boiling temperature.

• Sweetener: Sugar, honey, or even syrup!

• Iced Cubes

• Optional: Lemon slices, for garnish

Easy Chamomile Iced Tea Recipe

• Steep Freshleaf’s Calming Chamomile tea in freshly boiled water for 5-7 minutes.

• Strain the loose chamomile or remove the tea bags after steeping. If using, add honey or sugar and stir until dissolved.

• Let the herbal tea cool, then cover and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.

• To serve, fill a glass with ice and pour the chamomile tea. Garnish with a lemon slice, if desired. Enjoy!

Chamomile Iced Tea Variations

You would like to try this caffeine-free iced tea with additional flavours. Find some delicious ideas below.

• Use honey as a sweetener for a Honey Chamomile Iced Tea

• Add a splash of Freshleaf lemon honey sparkling water for a sparkling chamomile Iced tea

• Try cold brewing chamomile tea instead of steeping it in hot water

• For a bit of spice, add fresh ginger slices when steeping

• Squeeze fresh lemon juice and add a sprig of mint for added flavour!

2. Matcha Lemonade

Matcha lemonade is a thirst-quenching and rejuvenating drink that combines the vibrant Japanese green tea powder with tangy lemonade. This green tea Arnold Palmer requires only 3 ingredients (plus garnish and ice cubes).

Matcha Green Tea Lemonade

This recipe is a mix of two wonderfully refreshing drinks: cold brew matcha and classic lemonade. Typically, it is served sweetened and with ice.

This tea lemonade is crisp and citrusy with earthy notes from the green tea powder.

You can find this on the menu at Starbucks or you can make it at home for a fraction of the price!

Ingredients Notes

• Matcha: Look for high-quality matcha that is vibrant green in colour and has a fine texture. Avoid matcha that is dull or yellowish, as it may be lower in quality and taste bitter. 

• Lemonade: Homemade lemonade can be used for this recipe, or store-bought. Just make sure the lemonade is sweetened if you would like to make a layered drink.

• Lemon Slices & Mint: Add lemon slices to the glass and garnish with mint.

• Ice cubes

Easy Matcha Lemonade Recipe

• Step 1: Make cold brew matcha

Sift matcha into a resealable bottle like a mason jar or cocktail shaker. Add cold water to the bottle, seal it, and shake vigorously for 20 seconds or until it is frothy and smooth.

• Step 2: Assemble the lemonade

Add ice cubes and a few lemon slices to a tall glass. Pour lemonade, then slowly pour the cold brew matcha.

Pouring the tea slowly and over the ice cubes will help create a layered matcha lemonade.

Garnish the glass with a lemon slice and sprig of mint. Stir to combine before enjoying!

Variations

Give these other flavour combinations a try for a more creative tea lemonade recipe:

• Sweeten homemade lemonade with honey for a honey green tea lemonade

• Add mint syrup and fresh mint leaves for a cooling mint flavour

• Make a spicy lemonade by adding fresh ginger slices to the glass

3. Cherry Iced Tea

Make cherry iced tea from scratch using black tea, real cherries and homemade cherry syrup. The flavours are brisk, fresh and slightly tart. It’s a hit on hot days, especially during cherry season!

Cherry Iced Tea from Scratch

Making this cherry iced tea at home is very simple. Start by preparing your favourite black tea and cherry syrup made from real cherries. Afterwards, combine the two over ice and garnish for added freshness!

The sweet and tart cherries balance the bold black tea. Since it is made with black tea, this iced tea is caffeinated.

This fruit infused iced tea recipe can be prepared for just one person, or you can increase it to make a pitcher for many. Serve at parties like brunches, summer barbecues, baby showers, wedding showers, birthdays and more.

Why you should try cherry Iced Tea

• It’s absolutely delicious: Smooth, sweet and juicy iced tea!

• Real cherry flavour: Since it uses homemade cherry syrup, there is nothing artificial.

• Easy to customise: Adjust the sweetness with the amount of syrup used or swap the black tea for a different type of tea.

Cherry Iced Tea Ingredients

With just a few ingredients, making this iced tea could not be easier!

• Black Tea: I like to use tea bags for convenience here, but loose leaf tea can be used as well.

• Water: Steep the black tea in freshly boiled water.

• Cherry Syrup: Make homemade cherry syrup with just 3 ingredients. The cherry syrup should be made in advance so it has time to cool before assembling the iced tea.

• Ice Cubes

• Cherries and Mint: For garnish

Cherry Iced Tea Recipe

To Perp:

Steep black tea (tea bags or loose leaf) in freshly boiled water for 5 minutes.

Strain the loose leaf tea or remove the tea bags after steeping. Allow the tea to cool, then cover and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour. While you are waiting for the black tea to chill, make the cherry syrup.

To Assemble:

In a glass, add cherry syrup, a few sliced cherries and ice cubes. Fill the glass with the chilled black tea. 

If desired, garnish with a sprig of mint and more cherries. Stir to combine before serving or enjoying!

Variations

• For a caffeine-free version, use herbal tea instead of black tea

• Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less syrup

• Combine the cherry iced tea with equal parts lemonade for a cherry.

• Turn this into a cherry cocktail by adding vodka or gin

4. Earl Grey Iced Tea

Earl Grey iced tea is an invigorating way to enjoy one of the most popular tea blends in the world. It is aromatic, bold and flavourful with notes of bergamot citrus. Serve this iced tea sweetened or unsweetened.

Earl Grey Tea

Earl Grey is a black tea that is known for its distinctive flavour. It is traditionally made with black tea flavoured with bergamot citrus oil. The flavour is bold and fragrant with floral and citrus notes. It can be enjoyed on its own, hot or iced, or with milk, sweetener and lemon.

Earl Grey is also a popular tea to use in tea infused recipes like cookies, cakes, panna cotta and scones. 

Why you should try Earl Grey Iced Tea

• It is incredibly simple to make with minimal ingredients

• You can customise it with your choice and amount of sweetener

• Delicious and refreshing way to enjoy your favourite Earl Grey tea

Ingredients Notes

• Earl Grey: Loose leaf or tea bags.

• Water: Steep the tea with freshly boiled water to properly extract the flavours.

• Sweetener: Sugar, honey, syrup or maple syrup can be used. Sweetener is optional.

• Ice

• Optional: Orange wedge or zest twist, for garnish

Easy Earl Grey Iced Tea Recipe

Steep Earl Grey tea in freshly boiled water for 5 minutes. Cover while steeping to prevent the essential oils from escaping.

Strain the loose Earl Grey or remove the tea bags after steeping. If using, add your sweetener of choice and stir until dissolved. 

Allow the tea to cool, then cover and set it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.

To serve, fill a glass with ice and pour the chilled Earl Grey tea. Garnish with an orange wedge or zest twist, if desired. Enjoy!

5. Mint Iced Tea

Fresh mint, homemade mint syrup and green tea are used to make this crisp and sweet iced tea. You can make just 1 glass or increase the measurements to make a full pitcher to serve!

Mint Infused Iced Tea Ingredients

To make fresh mint iced tea, you need just a few ingredients. Check out the list below to get started.

• Green Tea

There’s still actual tea in this recipe, it’s not just a herbal infusion! This will make it caffeinated. Any green tea will work in the recipe. You can even use loose leaf tea or tea bags.

• Hot Water

The water temperature for green tea should be under boiling, around 80°C/175°F. Don’t use boiling water or you risk burning the delicate green tea leaves, which will result in a bitter-tasting cup of tea!

• Mint Syrup

Syrup is the easiest way to sweeten iced tea since it dissolves nicely. Mint syrup is the best way to get an extra refreshing mint flavour, too!

• Fresh Mint

A few mint leaves and a sprig of mint are used for garnishing the glass.

• Ice cubes

To make sure the tea stays chill, pouring it over ice is a must!

Easy Mint Iced Tea Recipe

To Prep:

Steep green tea (loose leaf or tea bags) in hot water for 3 minutes.

Strain the loose leaf tea or remove the Moroccan mint tea bags after steeping. Let cool, then cover and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.

While waiting for the green tea to chill, make the homemade mint syrup.

In a glass, add mint syrup, ice and 4 fresh mint leaves.

Fill the glass with the chilled green tea. Stir to combine before serving or enjoying.

If desired, garnish the glass with a sprig of mint. Cheers!

Tips & Tricks

• For the best tasting tea, follow the proper steeping guidelines and water temperature for green tea.

• Use fresh mint only, not dried. Fresh will give the strongest cool-mint flavour.

• Crush or muddle the mint leaves prior to adding them to the glass to release their oils and create more flavour.

• Store any leftover mint iced tea in the fridge, or you can also freeze it in ice cube trays to make mint infused ice cubes.

Variations

You can play around with this recipe and add other ingredients, if desired. Here are some ideas:

• For a fruit combination, use strawberry syrup instead of mint syrup or sliced strawberries in place of the mint leaves.

• Top the iced tea with sparkling water or club soda for a non-alcoholic drink.

• Add freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon slices for a citrus flavour that pairs wonderfully with mint.

Key Benefits of Refreshing Tea Drinks

1. Hydration with a health boost

Iced teas provide fluid intake on par with water; their mild caffeine content doesn’t offset their hydrating power. In fact, catechins, tea’s signature antioxidants, help maintain fluid balance and support cellular health.

2. Antioxidant-Rich Formulations

• Chamomile eases stress, supports better sleep, and may reduce oxidative stress in the body.

• Matcha delivers concentrated EGCG catechins for immunity and metabolism, plus L-theanine for calm alertness.

• Cherry Tea is loaded with anthocyanins that combat inflammation and support heart health.

• Earl Grey’s bergamot oils can uplift mood, aid digestion, and may improve cardiovascular markers.

• Mint Tea soothes the digestive tract, clears nasal passages, and calms the mind.

3. Customizable Sweetness and Flavours

From honey to syrups infused with ginger or mint, you control the sugar, ensuring each drink is a light or as indulgent as you like.

4. Functional Benefits for Everyday Needs

• Digestive support after a heavy meal (mint or chamomile)

• A midday energy lift without jitters (matcha lemonade)

• Stress relief and mood enhancement (cherry and Earl Grey)

Freshleaf’s Sparkling Twist

If you crave effervescence, Freshleaf’s Sparkling Tea range, Ginger Lemon Zest and Strawberry Kiwi, takes these concepts further. Carbonated yet only 10 g sugar per can, it pairs real fruit essences with black tea extract for a gentle caffeine lift. Imagine the gingery zing of Chamomile Iced Tea or the fruity notes of Cherry Iced Tea, now sparkling-perfect for pool parties, festive gatherings, or simply jazzing up a weekday afternoon.

Conclusion

Summer shouldn’t be endured, it should be savoured, one cool sip at a time. By embracing these iced-tea recipes, you’re not only staying hydrated but also infusing your routine with antioxidants, digestive support, and refreshing flavours. So steep, chill, and cheers to a healthier, happier summer with Freshleaf!