It seems like it took all of 5 minutes for the world to burst into flames. Seriously, this summer is a scorcher! In the midst of all these climate records, there’s gotta be a way to cool down other than standing directly in front of your AC unit (if you even have one—thinking about you, NYC)!
My in-the-know friend introduced me to “iced tea cocktails,” which sounds like the most refreshing fix on a hot summer’s day. But this great idea demands great ingredients and flavors, which is where Art of Tea comes in.
I’ll cut to the chase (I know, you’re hot just reading this). These three iced tea cocktail and mocktail recipes are the perfect antidote to the heat:
1. Hibiscus Cooler Sangria 🌺
I’ve spent much of my summer exploring Madrid, so of course sangria is up my alley—and it’s totally ingenious to add a splash of color and flavor from Art of Tea’s Hibiscus Cooler iced tea. Here’s how to make it:
- 1 2QT. pouch of Art of Tea’s Hibiscus Cooler iced tea
- 4 cups boiling water
- 2 cups white wine
- 2 cups sliced fruit (I used fresh strawberries, nectarines, and mangoes)
Steps: Brew one 2QT. pouch in 4 cups of hot water for 5 minutes, let it cool, add your fruit and wine, and allow the flavors to steep together for 6 hours in the refrigerator. Feel free to add a dash of simple syrup or honey at this step if you prefer. Serve over ice and garnish with your steeped fruit.
This cocktail was super easy to make and brought back memories of Spain. The fruit complemented the tart and tangy hibiscus flavor perfectly, and I loved this drink’s bright red color. You can also omit the wine if you’re looking for an equally delightful booze-free sip.
2. Blue Pineapple Tea Mojito 🍍
Blue Pineapple iced tea is unlike anything I’ve ever tried before. This invigorating blend of lychee, citrus, lemongrass, pineapple, and Butterfly Pea flowers steeps a deep blue tea and turns a gorgeous shade of purple with a squeeze of citrus (that’s the Butterfly Pea flowers at work!). This tea is even better as the base of a classic mojito:
- 1 2QT. pouch of Art of Tea’s Blue Pineapple iced tea
- 4 cups boiling water
- 2 cups club soda
- 1 cup white rum
- 6 OZ. simple syrup
- 6 sprigs mint
- 2 limes juiced
- 1 cup ice
Steps: Brew one 2QT. pouch of Blue Pineapple iced tea in 4 cups of boiling water for 3 minutes to make the tea concentrate. Remove the pouch and allow it to cool to room temperature. Add ice, lime juice, rum, and simple syrup to a pitcher. Add mint leaves to the pitcher and muddle. Lastly, add the cooled tea concentrate and club soda, stir, and get ready to wow your guests with this stunning purple drink.
3. Rose Black Mocktail 🌹
Rose is one of my all-time favorite flavors, so of course, I couldn’t resist creating a Rose Black iced tea mocktail. To highlight this tea’s floral notes, I made a super easy mocktail:
- 1 2QT. pouch of Art of Tea’s Rose Black iced tea
- 4 cups room temperature water
- 6 OZ. simple syrup
- 2 cups sparkling water
- Dried rose petals for garnish
The Rose Black tea comes in convenient, biodegradable iced tea pouches, so all you have to do is drop one pouch into your 2-quart iced tea pitcher and fill it with water. For this mocktail, I decided to cold-brew to let the rose notes shine through.
After letting the iced tea steep in my fridge overnight, I topped it off with sparkling water, simple syrup, and a pretty rose garnish. It was delightfully floral and sweet, but not overly so—it’s perfect for any time of day, and I loved how elegant it looked. ✨
Raise a Glass to Art of Tea 🍹
Even with minimal mixology skills, you can create Art of Tea’s iced tea cocktails and mocktails without breaking a sweat (well, at least not from making the drinks). From the unique flavors to the high-quality ingredients, Art of Tea is making it almost too easy to stay cool, hydrated, and refreshed in these sweltering conditions!
