Lavender Mint Iced Tea Recipe

This tea is so refreshing and tasty.

• 4  teaspoon fresh lavender flowers or 2 teaspoon dried lavender flowers
• 1 handful  of fresh mint leaves or 2 teaspoons dried mint
• 1 cup boiling water

In a teapot, combine the lavender flowers and mint. Pour boiling water over the mixture; steep 5 minutes. The lavender adds a sweet, perfumed aroma and provides a subtle contrast to the clean flavor of the mint.

Variation: For more interesting blends, add rosemary, lemon balm or lemon verbena, and rose geranium.

Three ways to Make Iced Tea from Brewed Tea. Make tea approximately double strength and steep only 5 minutes. Pour into a pitcher over an equal amount of ice. (If you are using a glass pitcher, let the tea cool before pouring it in.)

Refrigerator Tea. Follow the procedure for sun tea (below), except let the mixture brew in the refrigerator overnight. This method has two advantages: When it’s done, it’s already cold, and no matter how long it sits, it doesn’t get cloudy.

Sun Tea. In a glass jar or pitcher, place 1 teaspoon of loose tea or 1 teabag per pint of tap water (with natural sweetener — stevia — if you wish). Cover and set in the sun for 1 hour or so. Timing is not critical.