We all love a tall, cool glass of iced tea in the summer months. That said, we can grow tired of straight up with a twist of lemon, right? With the first sweltering month of summer behind us, we’re ready for something new in our glass. So, we started looking into iced tea and found some unconventional variations along with its origins. “Legend has it iced tea was invented during the World’s Fair in St. Louis in 1904, when a tea plantation owner decided to modify his product to suit the day’s sweltering heat. He poured standard tea through iced pipes and the resulting cold drink became a hot commodity. It’s a good story, but in reality, women in the South made iced tea decades prior, brewing strong batches of orange pekoe, storing the liquid in the ice chest, then serving it in goblets filled with cracked ice. Slices of lemon were a must. Those women understood an enduring truth: Despite its seeming simplicity, making good iced tea requires a deft hand.”
With this lovely slice of history from Imbibe Magazine in hand, we began our own little treasure hunt for the best iced tea. What we found were some unconventional iced tea recipes that suit us just fine for when you’re sweltering in the heat but are just plain tired of water (and the plain old twist of lemon!).
1. Thai Iced Tea
Lucky for you, Thai Tea mix is available in many Asian markets and online. You’re looking for a bright orange color and a hint of vanilla when you smell the leaves. Brew strong, put on ice and then add your choice of milk.
Read Related: Peruvian Purple Corn Tea (Chicha Morada)
