I like iced tea. A lot. I like it to the point where I could say it is one of my favorite parts of summer and not be lying. Examining this perhaps irrational adoration, I realize that what I really like about iced-tea is the process of making it (and then drinking it of course); concocting new combinations of flavors, adding herbs, fruit, mixing it all up. I have gotten quite fancy with it over the years and share with you here the evolutionary stages of my iced-tea making endeavors.

Sun Tea: I remember making this with my mom as a little girl, it is a fun way of making herbal teas, and so easy! The heat from the sun releases the flavors of the tea so you don’t even have to boil water…

1. Take 4 teabags (or loose-leaf equivalent) and place in a large clear glass jar.
2. If you like sweetener in your tea add it now- though I do find that herbal teas can be quite nice unsweetened.
3. Fill the jar with water and cover with a tight lid.
4. Now all you have to do is place the jar outside, in a sunny spot. It usually takes 2-3 hours of sunbathing for the tea to be ready.

Classic Iced-Tea: Always delicious!

1. Add 3 bags of black or green tea to your tea-jar.
2. Sweeten to taste. 4-5 tablespoons of sugar is usually nice. Growing up we always used granulated sugar or honey, but I have since discovered stevia and agave nectar, which are both very fun too.
3. At this point you are highly encouraged to also add fresh mint and lemon or lime juice.
4. Fill the jar with boiling water
5. Set aside and cool (sometimes this feels like an eternity… if you get impatient and want your tea sooner just be sure to pour it into your glass first and then add the ice cubes- this will prevent the glass from breaking with the extreme hot/cold temperature changes-- I learned this the hard way… on more than one occasion).

Fancy Iced-Tea: When I am feeling particularly indulgent I make the iced tea without any sweetener at all. Then when the tea is brewing I make a flavored syrup. The land of syrups is vast so don’t get lost! My all-time favorite is lavender syrup. But you can make ginger, mint, orange, sage, cardamom… the list goes on and on.

1. To make syrup add equal parts sugar and water to a small saucepan.
2. Add your herb/spice/flavored delight and bring to a boil.
3. Let it all cook together and thicken a bit for 5 minutes, then strain.

Some basic tea-making rules:

* Play around with as many flavors as you can. Add cardamom, rose water, citrus fruit, berries or fresh herbs. Have fun! Pretend you are a medieval alchemist trying to replicate the perfect summer afternoon. It can and should be done.
* Feel free to combine teas, mix jasmine with ginger or orange. Mix it with ginger and orange. You don’t need to buy a million different varieties of flavored tea- make up your own and enjoy the freedom of versatility.
* If you have the choice use loose-leaf tea and metal tea balls… it might be more to clean up later but you can definitely taste the difference.