Cold, Iced or Sparkling…a refreshing take on tea

Served cold, tea is a refreshing, inexpensive and healthy alternative to sugar-laden soft drinks. Incredible versatile and simple to prepare, here’s a couple of our favourite ways to serve:

Classic Iced Tea Pitcher.

Black teas makes the perfect iced tea, great for sharing with friends and little ones. Simply brew in hot water, strain and pour over ice.

We like to add fresh mint leaves, orange and lemon slices and lashings of honey to taste.

• 6 teaspoons Albion Assam loose tea
• 1.5 litres boiling water
• 2-3 tablespoons runny honey and/or sugar
• Juice of 1-2 lemons
• Fresh mint leaves, orange and lemon slices and ice to serve

1. Pour 1.5 litres of boiled water over the tea, infuse for 10 minutes, then strain. Stir in the honey and chill in the fridge until required.
2. Pour the chilled tea into a jug, stir in the lemon juice.
3. Add orange and lemon slices, fresh mint leaves and ice.
4. Pour into glasses and enjoy!

Sparkling Tea.

A special teatime fizz, served in champagne flutes for when you're feeling fancy.

Darjeeling First Flush is a tea worth celebrating, we love to brew in Sparkling Water as it brings out the freshness and aromatics.

• 4 teaspoons Albion First Flush Darjeeling
• 750ml sparkling water

1. Open the bottle of fizzy mineral water, pour out a little water (around 50ml).
2. Add the tea leaves into the water bottle (use a funnel if needed), and replace lid tightly.
3. Leave to infuse in fridge for 3–4 hours.
4. Strain and pour into champagne glasses.

Tip: After infusing be careful to open the bottle over a sink in case it bubbles over!

T&T, an alcohol-free take on a G&T.

Earl Grey makes a great alternative to gin when mixed with tonic water.

Simply brew a strong infusion in hot water, strain and chill until needed. To serve mix with tonic, adding ice and a slice of lemon (a sprig of herbs also works well, adding a botanical dimension).

• 3 teaspoons Albion Earl Grey with Lavender
• 500ml boiling water
• Tonic water
• Ice and lemon slices to serve

1. Pour 500ml of boiled water over the tea, infuse for 10 minutes, then strain. Chill in the fridge until required.
2. Pour the chilled tea into a glass and top with tonic water.
3. Add a slice of lemon and ice to serve.

Let us know if you give them a go – tag us in your pics over on Instagram @albion_tea