{"id":232,"date":"2024-03-05T19:24:56","date_gmt":"2024-03-06T02:24:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/urbanhomesteader.wordpress.com\/?p=232"},"modified":"2024-03-05T19:24:57","modified_gmt":"2024-03-06T02:24:57","slug":"cool-off-with-homemade-naturally-sweet-tea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.happysimpleliving.com\/cool-off-with-homemade-naturally-sweet-tea\/","title":{"rendered":"Iced Naturally Sweetened Tea Without Sugar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I love making this naturally sweetened tea<\/strong> and keeping a bottle in the fridge year round. It’s made with fresh-squeezed fruit juices and fresh mint<\/a>, and everyone who tries this tea asks for the recipe!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I sweeten our iced tea with organic unprocessed agave nectar, a mild-flavored, all-natural sweetener that is harvested from wild agave plants<\/a>. It has a low glycemic index, but is 1.4 times sweeter than refined sugar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This citrus tea is one of my family’s favorite cool drinks, along with our old-fashioned homemade lemonade<\/a>, red currant honey iced tea<\/a> and iced coffee<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Refreshing Taste:<\/strong> You’ll love the sweet, tangy, and minty flavors of this delicious, thirst-quenching tea! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quality Ingredients:<\/strong> Most store-bought sweetened iced teas are full of high fructose corn syrup, and the ‘light’ versions are loaded with artificial sweeteners. Instead, make your own cool, delicious sweetened tea with natural ingredients and enjoy a superior product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Save Money: <\/strong>Making your own sweet citrus tea is much less expensive than buying bottled or canned teas. Plus, you’ll keep unnecessary bottles out of landfill. <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Ingredients Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Two<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here’s what you’ll need to make this mint citrus flavored tea recipe:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 quarts cold water<\/strong> (2 quarts = 8 cups) – Spring water or filtered water will give your ice tea the purest flavor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 tea bags<\/strong> of your choice – You can use your favorite black tea for a more traditional flavor, oolong tea for a smooth taste, hibiscus for a more tart, fruity flavor, herbal tea, green tea, or whatever type you like best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 large handful fresh mint leaves<\/strong>, washed – If it’s not mint season, you can often find fresh mint at Asian or international grocery stores<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 – 4 tablespoons agave nectar<\/strong> – Look for organic, raw or unprocessed agave nectar if possible. You can also substitute honey if you prefer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice<\/strong> – You’ll get about 2 to 3 tablespoons of juice from one regular lemon. Feel free to adjust this amount to suit your tastebuds!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The juice of one large orange<\/strong> – You’ll get about 4 to 5 tablespoons of juice from a large orange. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional fresh mint sprigs<\/strong> and lemon slices or wedges<\/strong> for garnish<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Equipment Needed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You probably have these kitchen tools on hand: <\/p>\n\n\n\n