Fun and flavorful ways to celebrate National Iced Tea Day

National Iced Tea Day is celebrated on June 10. While that classic beverage might be served any and every day, the food holiday is time to raise a glass to the brewed beverage. From popping open a bottle of a favorite brand to brewing a colorful treat, there are fun and flavorful ways to celebrate the occasion.

Whether enjoyed with a heaping amount of sugar or just the brewed beverage itself, iced tea is a little more complex than those two scenarios. From fruit infusions to tea blends, a great glass of iced tea can be as nuanced as a stunning bottle of wine.

Although no one is saying that everyone needs to be a tea sommelier to enjoy the beverage, it is a reminder that iced tea might not be as simple as it seems. Even though no one really needs to do a deep dive into the history of tea, appreciating the aromatics, blending, and brewing can make a difference in the overall drinking experience.

For example, Lipton tea has shared a vibrant iced tea recipe. While many people might reach for a cocktail during that summer gathering, this tea makes for a lovely mocktail that entices with its appearance and flavor.

Here’s how to make Flower Shaken Iced Tea.

Ingredients:

• 3 Lipton Green Tea Bags
• 1 tsp. dried rose hips
• 1 tsp. dried jasmine flowers
• 1 tsp. dried hibiscus flowers
• 1 tsp. dried rose petals
• 3 cups hot water
• Ice
• 3 1/2 ounces fresh strawberries, sliced

Directions:

• Infuse Lipton Green Tea Bags, jasmine flowers, rose hips, rose petals and hibiscus flowers in hot water for 4 minutes. Filter and let it cool.
• Transfer the tea mixture to a shaker with ice, then shake well.
• Pour into 2 glasses and add the slices of strawberries. Decorate with fresh flowers.

Although brewing fresh tea is delightful, other people would prefer to just open a bottle. Snapple has been that go-to tea beverage for decades. Who hasn’t enjoyed those “Real Facts” under the cap.

Even though the Snapple Lady might be an advertising icon, the brand has evolved over the years. While that classic tea or even the Half n’ Half Lemonade Iced Tea has been a staple, newer varieties have captured people’s attention.

For example, the Snapple Elements have returned to the shelf. Whether people choose based on flavor or prefer to pick based on air, fire or earth, each one is quite refreshing. For anyone who has not tried the Snapple Elements Earth needs to sip on that tart cherry and fig flavor.

While iced tea is usually a relatively simple beverage, some brands are shaking up that notion for National Iced Tea Day. For example, DAVIDsTEA has Frozen Raspberry tea that captures that sweet, tart note that is sensational on a sunny day. When frozen, with a swirl of yogurt, it is a simply delightful alternative to a sugary frozen dessert.

Recently, AriZona Tea launched a line of Cold Brew Iced Teas. The fuller flavored beverages highlight the tea in every sip. While this launch excited many tea drinkers another collaboration has many people heading to the freezer aisle.

In collaboration with Van Leeuwen, the Arizona Green Tea ice cream features the classic green tea, ginseng and honeycomb candy. While the color is soothing, the flavor is an instant pick me up. Maybe it could even inspire some dessert creativity with other tea flavored treats.

Pure Leaf has encouraged drinkers to embrace the power of “no” and take the time to enjoy their own quiet moments. As part of National Iced Tea Day, they gave away some sparkly ice, aka diamond earrings, to some lucky people. Although this limited time giveaway was exciting, the premises of enjoying a great iced tea and that break might be the best gift to yourself.

National Iced Tea Day is here and there are plenty of ways to quench that thirst for the classic beverage. How will you enjoy that flavorful brew?