Chill Out

Iced tea was created, according to
popular legend espoused by www.teausa.com, out of necessity. On a
sizzling humid day at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, Englishman
Richard Blechynden ran his boiling hot tea, which was being ignored by
the sweating fair-goers, through freezing lead pipes, icing it down and
making history.

And while most people are spending this
June recognizing the 794th anniversary of the signing of the Magna
Carta or celebrating National Bathroom Reading Month, some area
businesses are dealing with the warming temperatures by cooling down
for National Iced Tea Month.

The Roji Tea Lounge, 108 E. Washington
St. (428-0844), is offering a number of cold drinks for the summer,
including an iced Moroccan Mint, which is gaining in popularity as the
weather warms, as well as Mango Black and Herbal Raspberry Iced Teas.

“We brew it fresh right here and not from concentrates,” says Kathleen Shockey, a Roji employee. “It’s the freshest tea around.”

Roji also offers iced or hot bubble
teas, which can be made with milk and include “bubbles” of chewy
tapioca at the bottom of the glass. “Bubble teas are maybe our most
popular drink, especially with the younger crowd,” says Shockey.

Dunkin’ Donuts offers three flavors of
iced tea—original, raspberry and peach—year-round, all of which are
freshly brewed and can be made specifically to order. The ubiquitous
chain is also pushing its frozen Coolatta drink this summer, with a
small Coolatta costing $1.99 from now until July 14. Coolattas, a
frozen beverage with the consistency of a slushie, come in coffee,
vanilla bean, strawberry and Tropicana flavors.

Or, if you’re in the mood, there is always the infamous
Long Island Iced Tea. Made entirely out of a combination of rum,
tequila, triple sec, vodka and gin, and topped off with a splash of
Coke, this iced tea might not be as refreshing as others, but it could
be just what’s needed while lounging in the summer sun after a long
week at work.

The healing and healthy properties of
tea are well documented. White teas are linked to antibacterial and
antiviral remedies, while green tea with honey is ideal for soothing a
sore throat. Black tea is rich in antioxidants, which some doctors have
linked with cancer prevention, cholesterol reduction and improved heart
health. Additionally, herbal teas such as chamomile, lavender and
ginger are all associated with different health benefits such as sleep
issues and stress levels.

Some marketing genius dubbed June as National Iced Tea
Month, but you can still enjoy the relaxing properties of the beverage
throughout the summer. So sit back, take a deep breath, and find what
tea is right for your life. 

Tea for two: Roji Tea Lounge serves iced bubble tea, which isn’t tea at all but is quite tasty. MICHAEL DAVIS PHOTO

Herbal Iced Tea

This recipe, from Sandra Lee of Semi-Homemade Cooking, is from www.foodnetwork.com.

For the tea:

4 Celestial Seasonings Red Zinger tea bags

4 cups water

½ cup simple syrup, or to taste (see accompanying recipe)

½ orange, cut into wedges

½ lime, cut into wedges

8 frozen raspberries

Put tea bags in a heatproof pitcher. In
a saucepan bring water just to a boil and pour over tea bags. Steep tea
5 minutes and remove tea bags. Cool tea and chill, covered, until cold,
about 1 hour. Stir in simple syrup, to taste. Squeeze orange and lime
wedges into tea and add wedges. Serve tea in tall glasses. Garnish with
frozen raspberries. 

For the simple syrup: 

¼ cup sugar

½ cup water 

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Add sugar and water to a microwave-safe
bowl, then microwave for 1 minute. Stir in vanilla. Stir until sugar is
completely dissolved. Let syrup cool.