This has been and still is a particularly hot summer and it is very important that we all make sure we keep our bodies hydrated. Iced tea is one of the most common and refreshing summer drinks; here is a caffeine and sugar free version that children can and will enjoy too, and adults who avoid sugar and don’t want to overindulge on caffeine will appreciate.

Ingredients for 1/2 a gallon of water:

four to six herbal tea bags (depending on how dark you like your tea. You choose the herbal tea flavors you prefer; here I used peach and raspberry)

any summer fresh fruits you have available; the best for flavor are the juicier ones like peaches, watermelon, pineapple, mango; also great are halved cherries, raspberries and sliced strawberries; in my opinion bananas are a must. All should be ripe, not mushy

a handful of fresh mint leaves.

What to do:

While the tea kettle brings the water to a boil put the herbal tea bags, diced fruits and mint leaves in a heat resistant glass container. I use a large flower vase.

Pour the hot water into the glass container and stir the ingredients together.

Let the tea rest while the hot water ‘cooks’ the ingredients mixing their many flavors.

When the tea is lukewarm filter it into a capped glass container to be stored in the refrigerator.

Add fresh mint leaves to the refrigerated iced tea for added flavor.

Btw, make sure to put aside the filtered ‘cooked’ fruits you made your tea with; some of them, like peaches and bananas are true delicacies .