Lemonade Iced Tea

When it's hot outside (100ºF/38ºC on my deck right now and it's only 11:00am! Yikes!), nothing beats a cold, refreshing lemonade... Oh wait! How about some iced tea! Well, if you're like me and you love those two summer favorites equally, you will certainly enjoy this fantastic combo.

Mint is an easy herb to grow in your garden or in a container on your deck or balcony. I have a ton in my backyard, so I am always looking for recipes/ways to incorporate it in my cooking. It tastes so fresh, I had to add it to this drink.

Try to buy lemonade without HFCS, artificial flavors or additives. I recommend Newman's Own or Simply Lemonade.  Or of course, you can make your own!

As for the tea, I use decaffeinated English tea, but any tea, even flavored, will work. I do not need extra sugar (the lemonade part has plenty for my taste) but if you are not a big fan of unsweetened iced tea, by all means, go ahead and add some.

Note to my French readers: la “lemonade” américaine n'est pas la limonade pétillante française. Il s'agit en fait d'une citronnade ou citron pressé sucré. Aux US, on en trouve dans tous les supermarchés. Si cela n'a pas (encore!) traversé l'Atlantique, vous pouvez tout simplement faire une citronnade maison.

Makes 8 cups

• 3 cups water = 700 ml d'eau
• 2 tea bags = 2 sachets de thé
• About ½ cup packed fresh mint leaves = environ 15g de feuilles de menthe fraiche
• 2 to 4 tablespoons sugar (optional) = 20 à 40 g de sucre (facultatif)
• 5 cups regular or pink lemonade = 1.2 l de citronnade
• Fresh lemon, lime, orange and/or grapefuit slices = quelques tranches de citron, citron vert, orange et/ou pamplemousse

Bring 3 cups water to a boil. Remove from heat, add tea bags, and stir in fresh mint. Cover and steep 10 minutes. Remove tea bags and mint. Stir in sugar, if using, until dissolved.

 

Pour tea into a large container and stir in lemonade. Serve over ice and garnish with citrus slices. Enjoy!