Cool down your hot drinks
As the weather gets warmer and warmer, enjoying a steaming hot mug of coffee or tea can become less and less appealing. Fortunately, the iced versions of these drinks are just as tasty, and even more refreshing in hot weather.
- - - - -
Lemonade Iced Tea
6 black tea bags
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 gallon boiling water
1 6-ounce can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
Place the tea bags and sugar into a 1-gallon jar. Fill with boiling water. Let steep for 2 hours at room temperature. Remove and discard tea bags. Stir in lemonade concentrate. Refrigerate until cool. Makes 16 servings.
- - - - -
Raspberry Iced Tea
8-1/4 cups water, divided
2/3 cup granulated sugar
5 black tea bags
3 to 4 cups unsweetened raspberries
In a large saucepan, bring 4 cups water to a boil. Stir in sugar until dissolved. Remove from the heat; add tea bags. Steep for 6 minutes. Discard tea bags. Add 4 cups water.
In another saucepan, bring raspberries and remaining water to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 3 minutes. Strain and discard pulp. Add raspberry juice to the tea mixture. Serve in chilled glasses over ice. Makes about 2 quarts.
- - - - -
Easy Iced Coffee
2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
3 tablespoons warm water
6 fluid ounces cold milk
In sealable jar, combine instant coffee, sugar and warm water. Cover the jar and shake until it is foamy. Pour into a glass full of ice. Fill the glass with milk. Adjust to taste if necessary. Makes 1 serving.
- - - - -
Iced Coffee Slush
3 cups hot, strong-brewed coffee
1-1/2 to 2 cups granulated sugar
4 cups milk
2 cups half-and-half cream
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
In a freezer-safe bowl, stir coffee and sugar; until sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Add the milk, cream and vanilla; freeze. Remove from the freezer several hours before serving. Chop mixture until slushy; serve immediately. Makes 12 servings.
- - - - -
Pantry Pointers
A lot of people like to sweeten their iced coffee and tea, but often sugar doesn’t dissolve in a cold drink. This can leave the drink with a grainy texture. To avoid this problem, sweeten your drinks with a simple sugar syrup. To do this, bring 2 cups of water to a boil on the stove and add 1 cup of sugar. Stir with a wooden spoon until sugar is completely dissolved. Cool to room temperature before using.
The Practical Pantry ©2007 Tammy P. Olson
http://www.practicalpantry.com
Next entry: Stir up a tasty meal
Previous entry: Serve brunch for Father’s Day