Expanding your tea offerings with easy and profitable iced tea recipes can enhance your cafe’s menu and attract more customers. Here are several delightful iced tea recipes that are simple to prepare and sure to be crowd-pleasers.
1. Classic Sweet Lemon Iced Tea
This refreshing drink combines black tea with fresh lemon juice, making it a summer favorite.
Ingredients:
- 10 black tea bags
- 4 cups boiling water
- ¾ to 1 cup granulated sugar (to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- Juice of 6 fresh lemons
- Additional cold water to fill the pitcher
- Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions:
- In a large heat-proof pitcher, combine boiling water, baking soda, and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the tea bags and let steep for 10 minutes.
- Remove the tea bags and stir in the lemon juice.
- Fill the rest of the pitcher with cold water and refrigerate until chilled.
- Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices[2].
2. Refreshing Mint Iced Tea
This iced tea is infused with mint, providing a cool and aromatic flavor.
Ingredients:
- 5 black tea bags
- A few sprigs of fresh mint
- 1 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- 4 cups boiling water
- 4 cups cold water
- ⅔ cup fresh lemon juice
Instructions:
- Place tea bags, mint, and sugar in a large pitcher.
- Pour boiling water over the mixture and let steep for 10 minutes.
- Remove the mint and tea bags, then add cold water and lemon juice.
- Chill before serving over ice[1].
3. Cold Brew Iced Tea
Cold brew iced tea is incredibly easy to make and results in a smooth, less bitter flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 tea bag (or 1 teaspoon loose-leaf tea) per 6 to 8 ounces of cold water
- Optional: sliced lemon, sweetener of choice, fresh mint leaves
Instructions:
- Combine the tea bags or loose-leaf tea with cold water in a pitcher.
- Cover and refrigerate for 6 to 12 hours.
- Strain out the tea bags or leaves before serving.
- Serve as is or add optional ingredients like lemon slices or mint[3].
4. Fruity Iced Tea with Juice
This versatile recipe allows you to customize your iced tea with any fruit juice you prefer.
Ingredients:
- 8 tea bags (black or herbal)
- 6 cups boiling water
- 4 cups fruit juice (e.g., peach, apple, or berry)
- Fresh fruit slices (e.g., peaches, strawberries) for garnish
Instructions:
- Brew the tea by pouring boiling water over the tea bags in a large jug; steep for about 5 minutes.
- Remove the tea bags and allow the brewed tea to cool.
- Mix in your chosen fruit juice and add ice.
- Garnish with fresh fruit slices before serving[4].
5. Hibiscus Iced Tea
This vibrant iced tea is not only refreshing but also packed with antioxidants.
Ingredients:
- 8 hibiscus tea bags
- 6 cups boiling water
- Sweetener to taste (optional)
- Fresh lime or orange slices for garnish
Instructions:
- Brew hibiscus tea by steeping the bags in boiling water for about 10 minutes.
- Remove the bags and sweeten if desired.
- Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve over ice.
- Garnish with citrus slices[5].
Conclusion
These iced teas are not only easy to prepare but also highly profitable due to their low ingredient costs and high demand during warmer months. By offering a variety of flavors—from classic lemon to fruity blends—you can cater to different customer preferences while enhancing your cafe’s appeal.
Sources
[1] The Very Best Iced Tea – Alexandra’s Kitchen https://alexandracooks.com/2024/07/03/the-very-best-iced-tea/
[2] Sweet Lemon Iced Tea – Erren’s Kitchen https://www.errenskitchen.com/sweet-lemon-iced-tea/
[3] How to Make Cold Brew Iced Tea – Cookie and Kate https://cookieandkate.com/cold-brew-iced-tea/
[4] Easy homemade iced tea – Simply Delicious Food https://simply-delicious-food.com/easy-homemade-iced-tea/
[5] Iced tea recipes – BBC Good Food https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/iced-tea-recipes
[6] Know Everything About Various Types of Teas You Can Include In Your Cafe Menu | Petpooja https://blog.petpooja.com/types-of-teas-for-cafe-menu/
[7] Classic iced tea | A Sweet Muddle https://www.asweetmuddle.com/2014/02/classic-iced-tea/
[8] The Best Way to Make Gallons of Iced Tea https://www.goldenmoontea.com/blogs/tea/106693127-the-best-way-to-make-gallons-of-iced-tea
