Drinking a tall glass of iced tea is one of the most refreshing ways to stay cool and hydrated this summer. Whether you’re sitting by the pool or enjoying a seasonally warm evening in your outdoor space, iced tea has many benefits. It’s packed with skincare benefits to help you achieve a glowing glow from the inside out, and it’s super easy to make.
how to make iced tea
One of the easiest ways to make iced tea is to steep loose leaf or sachets in boiling water and pour over ice to chill. However, if you want these skin care benefits, creating DIY herbal blends is just as easy and a lot of fun to make.
Let’s start by choosing the materials. If you want a caffeine boost, you can choose a base of piping hot green, white, or black tea. For a caffeine-free blend, use boiling water instead. As for add-ons, Jennifer Nicole Bianchini, MS, RD, IFNCP, registered dietitian and founder of Body to Soul Health, says hibiscus, mint, and lemon balm are some of the best herbs to soak in in the summer to hydrate your skin. “Put these together and you’ve got a delicious, refreshing summer iced tea that’s perfect for hydration, skin support, and even a little love for your nervous system,” she says.
Hibiscus: According to Bianchini, dried hibiscus is a delicious herbal ingredient to add to iced tea recipes because it’s “rich in antioxidants that support healthy skin.” Dried flowers are rich in vitamin C, which also stimulates elastin and collagen production, and they also have natural moisturizing properties that boost hydration. “As a bonus, it also helps support healthy blood pressure.”
Mint: Herbal teas are great in the summer, especially when they have a cooling and refreshing effect. Mint is known for its cooling and soothing effects, thanks to its menthol properties. Menthol also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which can help fight breakouts and balance sebum production. Mint is easy to grow in pots both indoors and outdoors, so you can grow (and drink) lots of it this summer.
Lemon Balm: For an extra kick, infuse lemon balm in your summer iced tea to give it a calming, comforting element. Lemon balm is rich in antioxidants that protect your skin from environmental damage and also helps balance oil production to prevent seasonal blemishes.
In addition to these herbal ingredients, Bianchini says you can up your hydration bar this summer by adding cucumber, lemon, or lime slices, or iced watermelon cubes to your iced tea. “These ingredients not only boost hydration, but also add delicious, refreshing flavor,” she says. “Lemons and limes also contain vitamin C, watermelon contains antioxidants such as lycopene, and cucumber has cooling and hydrating properties, making this drink perfect for beautiful summer skin inside and out.” To make fresh watermelon cubes, buy watermelon, cube it, and freeze it in ice cube trays filled with water. You can also blend watermelon and pour it into ice cube trays for maximum flavor.
Key points: How to make iced tea
Once you have selected your ingredients, fill a pitcher with the base liquid and sprinkle with additional herbs. For a hibiscus, mint, and lemon balm blend, use 1/4 cup or less of dried hibiscus flowers. This gives you a delicious tart flavor without overpowering the blend. Add a handful of mint and lemon balm and let the mixture stand for 10-15 minutes. Once the time has elapsed, remove the herbs and let the tea come to room temperature before storing it in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, fill a glass with ice and pour the tea over it. For an added skincare bonus, you can also add a few slices of lemon, lime, or cucumber to your glass, along with an ice cube of watermelon, for some natural sweetness.
