Lemon Blueberry Sweet Tea

Lemon Blueberry Sweet Tea

12 oz. pkg. frozen blueberries

1/2 cup lemon juice

3/4 cup sugar

1 gallon Sun Tea

for garnish:

Lemon Slices

Fresh Blueberries

I like to make my iced tea using the energy of the sun.

But, you can make the tea using your favorite method.

Place frozen blueberries and lemon juice in a medium saucepan.

Bring to a boil over medium heat.

Cook, Stirring occasionally for 5 minutes.

Pour through a wire-mesh strainer into a bowl.

Use the back of a spoon to squeeze out as much juice as possible.

Discard the solids.

Pour tea, lemon blueberry juice, and sugar into a serving pitcher.

Stir until sugar is dissolved.

Serve over ice.

Garnish with fresh blueberries 

and a lemon slice.

Summer Sangria Punch

 

Summer Sangria Punch

4 cups cranberry juice cocktail

1 cup orange juice

1 tbsp. fresh lime juice

3/4 cup pink lemonade flavor drink mix

3 cups club soda

1 orange

1 lemon

1 lime

Be sure all of your ingredients are chilled.

You can see I used apple cranberry juice this time (because it was on sale),

and I substituted sparking water for the club soda (to reduce the calorie count).

Prepare the orange juice according 

to the directions on the can.

Slice the citrus fruit.

Stir the first 4 ingredients in a glass pitcher until the drink mix is dissolved.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Add club soda and fruit.  Stir.

Serve in ice filled glasses.

Garnish with lemon and lime slices.

Making Iced Tea

(stock photo)

There are so many variations to making Iced Tea. Here's a very simple recipe that I think you'll enjoy.

Ingredients:

6 tea bags
4 cups water
4 cups cold water

In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups water to a boil.

Add tea bags.

Remove from heat. Steep the teabags for 10 minutes only.

In a large pitcher, add 4 cups cold water. At the end of the 10 minutes, remove and discard the teabags. Pour hot water slowly into the cold water.

Allow tea to cool completely. Grab your favorite glass, add a couple of ice cubes, pour your iced tea over the ice, then add your favorite fixings. Consider using simple syrup instead of sugar. (Recipe can be found here.)

Some suggestions: Add lemon, blueberries, raspberries, or mint leaves. Sit back and enjoy!!!

Simple Syrup

'Tis the season for lemonade and iced tea!!! Yummy! When making homemade sweetened drinks, please do not just pour sugar directly into your drink. Make a simple syrup instead.

Simply combine 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar into a small saucepan and cook over medium heat. Stir often, until the sugar has completely dissolved, 3-5 minutes. Let syrup cool.

To use: For every teaspoon of sugar you would normally use, add 1 1/2 teaspoons of simple syrup.

Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Wasn't that easy? And no yucky sugar granules left on the bottom of your glass!!!