This summer, probably for the first time, I am missing the Indian Monsoon. The rain, the smell of sand after first rain, getting drenched and especially, eating crispy pakodas with hot masala tea by the window while watching raindrops wash away the heat. It hasn’t rained here for so many months now that I have even forgotten when it rained last. Some days, it gets cloudy in the morning but by the afternoon, it’s a clear cheerful sky. I hate to complain because nothing makes me happier than waking up to a sunny summer morning however, a little shower now and then would have been nice.
So while I wait for the heat to cool down, I am trying my hands on every summer drink possible.
One of our favorites is Raspberry Lemon Iced Tea and we have been having them a lot these days. It’s has a perfect blend of sweet and tart with the hint of tea and the sexy red, which makes it more appealing. For a berry lover and tea lover, the combination worked much delightfully on my palate than I had expected. It’s easy to make, needs no complex ingredients or kitchen gears and above all, it’s refreshing. And when the temperature shoots up, that’s all that matters.
For all my friends who don’t like tea, you know what you can call this beverage by omitting the tea – raspberry lemonade! And for those boozy nights, pour some gin or vodka and give it a fancy name.
The best part about this drink is that it can be made in advance. All you need is some fresh lemon juice, tea and raspberry syrup. Frozen berries and bottled lemon juice would work too but there is nothing better than using fresh ingredients. So, start by picking some fresh, juicy good-looking raspberries, squeeze out all the juice from those lemons and brew some tea. Here is a very informative article on How to Brew Tea.
Raspberry Lemon Iced Tea
Ingredients
For the syrup
- 2 cups fresh raspberries plus extra for garnish
- 1 cup sugar
- ¼ cup water
For the lemon iced tea
- juice of 4 lemons
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced for garnish
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon tea leaf or 1 tea bag
Instructions
To make the syrup
- In a saucepan, mix all the ingredients and bring it to a boil.
- Once done, lower the heat and let it simmer until the berries are softened. This should take about 10 minutes.
- Let it cool and then strain the syrup to a jar using a sieve.
To make the lemon tea
- In a deep pan, bring 2 cups water to boil.
- Add tea to the pan, cover it and stop the heat. Let it brew for 5 minutes.
- Once done, strain it to the raspberry syrup jar using a sieve.
- Next, add lemon juice to the jar and give it a stir.
- Keep it the refrigerator and let it to cool down completely.
- While serving, drop some ice cubes in a glass, add a slice of lemon, two to three fresh raspberries and the raspberry iced tea.
Notes
- Honey can be used instead of Sugar. You might need to add more or less honey/sugar depending on how tart the raspberries are and how you prefer them.
- Frozen berries could be used instead of fresh berries. Also, you could use any other berry or fruit syrup as per your flavor choice.
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While the summer is still here and we still have access to garden-fresh berries, quickly grab some and relish every bit of it!
Comments are closed.
Anamika
August 20, 2012 at 7:21 PMwow, I wish we could get such fresh raspberries out here, loved this version…m going to substitute raspberries with some seasonal fruit…any suggestions? I normall make MINT LEMON ICED TEA at home!
Deepa
August 20, 2012 at 7:31 PMgetting fresh raspberries is a dream here 🙁 Good to know that you are able to enjoy fresh garden pick berries…bhishon sundor chobi gulo
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
August 20, 2012 at 8:41 PMWhat a beautiful drink for summer. Gorgeous photos!
Ira Rodrigues
August 20, 2012 at 9:41 PMReally refreshing drink. Hmm i must try your recipe but of course not with raspberry 🙁 hihi , definitely love the drink!
Arch
August 20, 2012 at 9:42 PMHey, that pic with the clip holding the lemon slice is really cool 🙂 This sounds like a great chiller in summer
Mallika
August 20, 2012 at 9:51 PMBeautiful Kankana! Splendid looking Raspberry Lemon Iced Tea. Wish only if we could get some gorgeous looking red berries as yours here in India!
Tadka Pasta
August 20, 2012 at 10:18 PMRaspberries are one of things I miss! Can just imagine how flavorful and refreshing this drink would be. Just lovely!
sangeeta khanna
August 20, 2012 at 11:07 PMLovely lovely pictures. And such fresh flavors together . Yum.
Rosa
August 21, 2012 at 12:04 AMRefreshing and surely delicious! A perfect combination of flavors.
Cheers,
Rosa
Spandana
August 21, 2012 at 3:00 AMBeautiful Color Kankana. The drink looks so very refreshing.
Love the pics.
Vimitha
August 21, 2012 at 3:05 AMRefreshing for the heat dear
indugetscooking
August 21, 2012 at 3:13 AMThe smell of the earth after the first rain must be one of the most seductive ones ever. Absolutely love it.
The drink looks refreshing and what an attractive colour.
Keep Calm and Eat On
August 21, 2012 at 3:45 AMI hope you get rain soon enough, for the sake of everything else as well. Saddens me how the global climate has become so drastic lately. And don’t forget your pakoras to celebrate when it pours!
Very attractive colors. We pick raspberries whenever we can find them. They are so delicious right off the bush. Never thought of drinking them.
Sydney @ The Crepes
August 21, 2012 at 8:38 AMLove this idea! It looks beautiful, too – I’m sure it was hard to photograph these and not drink it all up.
Riley
August 21, 2012 at 1:38 PMYour photos are beautiful, and I must try this iced tea soon! That color is so gorgeous!
Jennifer (Delicieux)
August 21, 2012 at 3:34 PMThis looks so refreshing Kankana. Perfect for a hot summers day. And those raspberries look amazing! I wouldn’t be able to resist eating them all.
Stunning photos, as always. You really have a special talent.
Anna @ The Littlest
August 21, 2012 at 4:18 PMLooks lovely! Jyust discovered your blog and I am going to enjoy looking through your posts and beautiful photos!
mjskit
August 21, 2012 at 4:31 PMI love tea, any type of tea and this one looks especially delicious! I’m sure it is doing the job of cooling down the heat and at least making you “feel” like the rains are coming. Gorgeous pics!
Monique
August 21, 2012 at 4:45 PMI love your photos:) All of a sudden no surprise as I even pinned you before knowing you..
You are a wonderful photographer.
In other words..I knew you before I met you..and admired you~
Reem | Simply Reem
August 21, 2012 at 6:47 PMStunning!!!!
Honestly, I have spent more time drooling over the pics (again n again)…
Kankana…. your photographs make me smile even when the madness of the day have taken away every little trace of it from me…
Do I even make sense of what I am saying… Love your photography!!
Nami | Just One Cookbook
August 21, 2012 at 10:01 PMI love that you wrote regular post after the tutorial post so that I get to see your food photography – it makes me think a bit reflecting your previous post. Anyway, what a delicious, refreshing, gorgeous drink! I know, it hasn’t rained for months! Well, it’s always cold (cool?) up here every evening and sometimes get fogs, so I never thought of having rain yet. Gosh when it rains it rains everyday! I heard Monsoon is beautiful and calming too, so I know you miss those things you grow up with. 🙂
swati
August 22, 2012 at 12:56 AMlovely clicks.. littarally talks to you.this one’s on my lunch menu tomorrow. yummy and refreshing.
Asmita
August 22, 2012 at 8:34 AMWow,
This drink looks so refreshing! Like always, your photography has blown me away. You are so talented and I love your presentation! Amazing!!!
Sangeetha
August 22, 2012 at 9:18 AMwow…very refreshing drink for hot sunny days….gorgeous pics…loved your presentation too…Awesome!!
KiranTarun
August 22, 2012 at 2:17 PMAmazing photos and styling, Kankana! Makes me want to reach out and take a sip!
priya mahadevan
August 22, 2012 at 4:45 PMPictures are phenomenal as are the posts – wanted to comment on all the ones on the home page – Ice creams, tomato tart, lemonade – geez – I’d like to be your neighbor in the summer 🙂 – it’s been a long time, Kankana, but always good to catch up with ya – xxxx priya
Steve @ the black pe
August 22, 2012 at 7:35 PMThese pics are absolutely stunning!!! The drink looks so refreshing.
rebecca
August 22, 2012 at 8:16 PMlovely drink and can;t beat sipping tea and listening to the rain
nipponnin
August 22, 2012 at 10:55 PMGlorious color! I just want to go out to get some raspberries right this minute. Well…too late for tonight but I must buy some tomorrow for sure. Thank you for sharing.
Vishakha
August 23, 2012 at 12:46 AMYou should come to Singapore.. you won’t miss the rains ;-))
I love your photography and food styling. Your style is quite distinct and has you written all over. What really impresses me about your pictures is that you are able to use a number of props which are so well chosen and go with a theme, in the right place and the right angle to make the picture complete. Not too crowded and not too empty. Just right! I don;t mean to flatter you & sorry if I sound like I am, but you’re doing such a good job and it’s only a matter of time when you start doing this professionally. All the Best!
Sanjeeta kk
August 23, 2012 at 1:58 AMSuch picture perfect click..can’t stop staring at the pictures from the time you posted the same on FB. Getting Raspberries here is a big question mark..the drink must have tasted really good.
Jessie
August 23, 2012 at 1:01 PMGorgeous photos. Delicious recipe. Simply perfection!
Aunt Clara
August 23, 2012 at 4:00 PMI get raspberries once in a blue moon down here. I guess I should be happy we have an insane number of tropical fruits instead. Next blue moon I will try this with my raspberries, if I can help not to eat them.
Lovely pictures, love them.
Maureen
August 23, 2012 at 7:07 PMGORGEOUS photos and I’m still smiling at that little clothespin holding the lemon slice. What a beautiful drink!
Lisa H.
August 24, 2012 at 1:05 AMLove the bucket of raspberries shots… so so beautiful 😀
shema george
August 24, 2012 at 6:06 AMHey Kankana..thanks for stopping by my space and posting your comments…
I have always love your site,pics and recipe…and this iced tea looks out of this world
Tes
August 24, 2012 at 8:24 AMI wish I can get some fresh raspberry here in India! I just wanna shake this up right away 🙂
Divya
August 24, 2012 at 8:33 AMLovely food styling, Kankana! I love how you used the tall tumbler – it’s somewhat unusual, but it makes the tea really stand out. I want some tea now!
Tina (PinayInTexas)
August 25, 2012 at 9:44 AMSimply looking at your photos makes me feel so refreshed, Kankana! Lovely photos as always!
Richa
August 25, 2012 at 1:28 PMsounds amazingly refreshing. now if only it stays hot here:) and all the work you put in the styling shows beautifully!
Sandra's Easy Cookin
August 26, 2012 at 6:43 AMThis is refreshing and so beautiful, Kankana! Such a vibrant colors and this tea must be really good! Perfect for summer!
foodwanderings
August 26, 2012 at 3:41 PMSuper refreshing Miss Kankana. Let the summer linger a bit. Am not ready for Fall and Winter yet though the leaves here unruly foliage all over the driveway! 🙂
[email protected]
August 26, 2012 at 9:19 PMSo very pretty! Love the colors!!
Leanne @ HP
August 27, 2012 at 6:00 AMI really enjoy rain too… but we’ve been having a lot of it, every couple of days which is weird because that’s not normally the case. I wish I could send you a bit of ours!
Soma
August 28, 2012 at 5:18 PMberry berry beautiful.. like always! all the photographs are gorgeous, but i love how you styled the stacked lemon slices and berries.