Iced teas are always on everyone's summer checklist. Bear in mind, though, that packaged iced tea mixes won't do the trick if you are looking for something beyond a refreshing drink.
To make a really healthy glass of iced tea, first boil the tea and then refrigerate it. This enhances tea's anti-inflammatory, antiviral, digestion-aiding, and antibacterial properties as it ensures optimum absorption of nutrients.
If you are looking for some refreshing iced teas and tisanes, with or without actual tea leaves, that will soothe the system, here are five that you should definitely try. Their regular consumption can also assist in weight loss and help boost your metabolism.
Ayurvedic Turmeric Detox Drink
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, while ginger isn’t just good at soothing your gut, but also boosts your immunity, and does wonders to clean your lymphatic system, which is the body's network of organs and tissues that cleanse toxins and waste.
You might have seen many teas on the market that have dried or powdered ginger and turmeric, and sometimes mixed with sugar. You can easily concoct a healthier version at home.
Ingredients:
5 cups of water
2-inch piece of fresh turmeric
Peel of 1 lemon
2-inch piece of ginger
1 black pepper
Tiny pinch of cayenne pepper
Juice of 1 lemon
Raw organic honey (optional)
Method:
Add lemon peel, ginger, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and black pepper into the water and then bring it to a simmer. Turn down the heat to low, let it simmer for 7 minutes. Don't let it bubble or boil, as this may neutralize the nutrients in the turmeric. Now take it off the heat and squeeze in the lemon juice. Strain the drink into a cup and add 1 teaspoon of honey (optional). If adding raw honey, then allow the drink to cool down a few minutes so the heat doesn't destroy some of its nutrients.
Spiced Orange and Star Anise Iced Tea
Star anise is one of the most common exotic spices in both Indian and Chinese cuisines. Star anise tea is good to be consumed after meals as it helps in treating digestive problems such as bloating, gas, indigestion and constipation. Orange is high in Vitamin C, and when mixed with green tea, it brings out a tasty and nutritious concoction that you can enjoy.
Ingredients
1 green tea-bag
1 orange
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise aka ‘Chakra Phool’
Method:
Peel the orange and keep it aside. Into a jam jar or mason jar, add the teabag, cinnamon, star anise, and orange peels. Pour boiling water into the jar and steep for a few minutes. Allow it to cool down for about an hour in the refrigerator, then remove the teabag and serve it with some ice. Squeeze the orange juice into the tea and serve with fresh mint as a garnish.
Ginseng Root 'Tea' with Lemongrass
Enjoying a cup of ginseng tea every day can encourage good health and increase immunity. Drinking ginseng tea may boost up energy, lessen menstrual cramping, relieve hot flashes, or stimulate the brain's ability to concentrate. This drink will keep you awake so be sure to drink it early in the day.
Ingredients:
1 tsp dried ginseng root or 2 tsp freshly grated ginseng root
2 teaspoons fresh lemongrass or 1 teaspoon dried lemongrass
1 cinnamon stick
4-6 green cardamom green, cracked
1 -2 tablespoon raw organic honey
Juice of 1 lemon
Method:
Add the ginseng, lemongrass, cinnamon, and cardamom into a saucepan. Add three cups of filtered water. Bring the mixture to boil over medium-high heat, then turn it down to medium-low.
Let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, strain into a clean drinking container, and serve sweetened with honey. You can also refrigerate it and garnish with some lemon juice, for an extra burst of lemon flavour.
Vitamin C Boost Detox Tea
A vitamin C flush is also called ascorbate cleanse. This vitamin C detox tea will leave the body feeling refreshed and energized, as it includes lemon and orange, both of which are vitamin C-rich fruits. This drink has immunity-boosting properties (if consumed consistently) and will also help make your skin clear.
Ingredients:
1 green tea-bag
Juice of 1 lemon
Orange/ Grapefruit pulp
Raw organic honey
Few slices of cucumber
5 mint leaves
Method:
First, boil 1 green tea bag into the water for at least 5 mins, then sieve it and then add lemon, orange/ grapefruit pulp, honey, a few slices of cucumber, and 5 mint leaves and then refrigerate it for an hour.
Berry Detox Tea
Blueberries assist in reducing cholesterol and blood pressure. The fresh ginger in this tea is great for stomach issues, morning sickness, and helps reduce bloating, while lemon is incredible for the skin, great for detox of the liver, and a weight-loss aid!
Ingredients:
1 green tea-bag
1-inch piece of ginger
2 tbsps. of blueberry paste
Few mint leaves
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tbsp. raw organic honey
7-8 fresh blueberries
Method to make
Boil around 4 cups of water with the green tea-bag, 1-inch piece of ginger and 2 tbsps. of blueberry paste (mash around 10 blueberries and stir in). Let this mixture boil for 6-7 mins, then remove it from the heat and strain it. Add 7-8 fresh blueberries, mint leaves, 2 tbsps. lemon juice, 1 tbsp. raw honey. Refrigerate and garnish with mint and blueberries before serving.
Eshanka Wahi is a Dubai and Delhi-based wellness advocate and nutrition coach. Check out her page Eat Clean With Eshanka on Instagram (@eshankawahi)
