I was a tea fanatic long before I joined Team ACHS. But since I’ve been on staff here—where herbal experts, DIY whizzes, and botanical resources abound—I’ve been able to go a bit wild with my tea obsession.
I look for any opportunity to experiment with different herbal blends and flavors. And now that Independence Day weekend is upon us in the U.S., I’m ready to break out the spouted pitcher and ice to make fresh herbal iced tea for a festive Fourth!
Before we dive in, full disclosure: I’m not an herbal medicine expert. I’m an everyday herbal enthusiast and DIY-er who loves growing, blending, and learning about herbs. (Hey, we don’t all have to be Master Herbalists to make a kick-butt cup of tea…but it doesn’t hurt ;) ). So I worked with our team at the Apothecary Shoppe to bring you this list of four festive herbal iced teas you can brew this Fourth of July weekend.
At first, I wasn’t sure how well basil Ocimum basilicum (L.) would pair with lavender Lavandula angustifolia (Mill.). I was not disappointed! This zesty blend is a welcomed refresher when the sun hits its highest at your July Fourth barbecue.
Basil Ocimum basilicum: 2 teaspoons
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia: 2 teaspoons
Ginger Zingiber officinale: 2 teaspoons
Filtered water: 2 cups
Directions: Pour boiling water over herbs and leave to steep for 10 minutes. Strain the tea and place it in the refrigerator to chill. Add ice and serve.
This is the ultimate chilled tea to “chill” you out. Enjoy this sweet iced treat (no sugar needed!) as you watch the fireworks this weekend. Brought to you by the Apothecary Shoppe Production Lead Tiffany Stout, a confessed herbal tea addict.
Chamomile, German Matricaria recutita: 2 teaspoons
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia: 2 teaspoons
Lemon balm Melissa officinalis: 1 teaspoon
Filtered water: 2 cups
Directions: Pour boiling water over herbs and leave to steep for 10 minutes. Strain the tea and place it in the refrigerator to chill. Add ice and serve.
This crisp, smooth blend comes from our Apothecary Shoppe shipping manager and herbal tea brewing buff, Kelly Johnson. As Admissions Advisor Marion Lane would say, “That girl’s got a nose for blending!”
Lemongrass Cymbopogon flexuosum: 2 teaspoons
Nettle Urtica dioica: 2 teaspoons
Red Rose Petals & Buds Rosa centifolia: 2 teaspoons
Filtered water: 2 cups
Directions: Pour boiling water over herbs and leave to steep for 10 minutes. Strain the tea and place in refrigerator to chill. Add ice and serve.
This is my favorite blend of the four. Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis (L.) is incredibly aromatic and tasty—and it’s easy to grow in your backyard. Lemon Citrus limonum (Risso) can be added to all the teas above, but as Dean of Students Heather Baley suggested, it’s especially necessary in this blend because it pairs beautifully with rosemary R. officinalis. And I love the sweetness of German chamomile Matricaria recutita (L.)! We’ll be celebrating American independence this weekend, but this Mediterranean blend will be in my mason jar.
Chamomile, German Matricaria recutita: 2 teaspoons
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis: 1½ teaspoons
Juice of 1 lemon Citrus limonum
Filtered water: 2 cups
Directions: Pour boiling water over chamomile and rosemary and leave to steep for five minutes. Strain the tea and place in refrigerator to chill. Squeeze lemon juice into tea. Add ice, drop in squeezed lemon if desired, and serve.
So get brewing! You can find all of the herbs for these recipes at the Apothecary Shoppe here.
Looking for more delicious hot and iced tea recipes? Here’s a whole eBook of them! Free Preparing Herbal Teas eBook
A few notes:
1. These recipes serve two, but you can adjust the ratios as necessary if you need to make a full pitcher or a smaller cup.
2. I used dried herbs, but if you use fresh herbs from your garden, double the stated quantity of herbs.
3. Note that the steeping time for these iced teas is longer than hot tea. This is because ice dilutes the tea. To make these blends hot, steep no longer than three to five minutes.
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. This article has not been reviewed by the FDA. Always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a Communications Specialist for American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS), the Institution that publishes this blog. However, all opinions are my own. This blog may contain affiliate links. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”