Nothing says summertime in the South like a tall, ice cold glass of sweet tea sipped on the porch during the buzzing heat of the day or enjoyed through warm, humid nights lit up by fireflies.

The perfect sweet tea is more than just adding a spoonful of sugar to a glass of iced tea; it’s a southern tradition and one that can be easily enriched with herbalism.

Most recipes call for using black tea, a timeless classic, but as herbalists, we are always thinking of ways to elevate our drinks with more plants. Add a cooling, refreshing twist with our Peppermint Delight® tea, a light and energizing uplift with our Green Tea Lemongrass tea, or a moment of tropical bliss with our Rose Hips with Hibiscus tea. However you’re feeling, there’s an herbal tea that can meet you there.

Sweet tea is often made daily in large batches and kept chilled in the fridge, ready for a midday visitor or an easy cool-down on a hot summer’s day. While most recipes call for a quick steep, we like a nice long steep to make a stronger herbal sweet tea. The natural sweeteners are mixed into the hot tea to dissolve completely. We like a relatively mild sweetness, but you could certainly add more (or less) to suit your taste. After all, sweet tea should hold pleasant memories of summer’s pastime and invite feelings of relaxation and joy into your day.

Enjoy a few of our favorite caffeinated and caffeine-free recipes with some summertime combinations.

Peppermint Delight

Minty, earthy and slightly sweet, this tea is sure to cool you down on a hot day.

Time: 30-40 minutes
Makes 3-6 servings

Ingredients:

• 6 cups water
• 6 Traditional Medicinals Organic Peppermint Delight® Probiotic tea bags
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• Mint sprigs for garnish
• Ice to fill the jar/pitcher