Refreshing Iced Teas

Super-soothing lavendar and chamomile make this caffeine-free, herbal iced tea recipe the ultimate in summer relaxation

Finally, a sangría that even the kiddos can enjoy. Grape juice, lemon, lime, orange soft drink, and puréed raspberries give this ruby-red drink its great flavor.

Add an herbal flair to your favorite sweet tea with verbena leaves, which lend a potent lemon flavor to any drink. Cook sugar and water first to supersaturate the mixture. Then add to boiled verbena leaves and let chill overnight to marry the flavors. Pour tea into glasses first, and then top with the sugar syrup. Garnish with mint.

Accent the floral flavor of the hibiscus tea with sparkling apple cider. This cool drink fits perfectly at the family picnic or an afternoon poolside with friends.

Finish a casual back-porch dinner party with mint tea, served chilled. Fresh spearmint and sugar add just the right punch to the green tea. Pair with a menu inspired by food from Morocco or the West Indies.

Make this sweet, plum-hued beverage year-round by using fresh or frozen blackberries. Crush sugared blackberries with a wooden spoon, then mix with mint and baking soda. Combine with tea and let stand for an hour before straining. Add water, and chill before serving.

Just because the Kentucky Derby is over doesn't mean that a Southern classic has to be sent to the pasture for the rest of the season. This tea holds all the tasty secrets of the mint julep–mint and bourbon–and adds fresh lemon, lime, and sweetened tea to create a summer-ready drink for the adults in your circle.

Serve an adults-only tea, flavored with orange liqueur, for neighborhood happy hour gatherings. This recipe is a great make-ahead option. Simply brew the tea and mix with cranberry juice, vodka, and liqueur; then chill. Add ginger ale just before serving to give it a refreshing fizzy sensation.

To infuse the tea with the most mint flavor, refrigerate with the mint sprigs. But if you prefer a lighter mint taste, let the sprigs steep for 5 minutes, then remove before chilling. Traditional mint tea tends to be very sweet, so feel free to tailor the amount of sugar to your taste.

Combine freshly brewed or store-bought tea with canned peach nectar, sugar, and lime juice for a sweet summer afternoon drink with just a hint of tart flavor. This beverage keeps well, so make a big batch and store some in the fridge for thirsty drop-in visitors.