Try Freezing Your Iced Tea For An Unexpectedly Refreshing Summer Treat

On a hot summer day, what could be more refreshing than sipping a glass of iced tea? If you're really trying to beat the summer heat — or if you just want a fun upgrade to your typical iced tea — turn your favorite cool drink into a creative homemade popsicle. Not only are they easy and quick to make, but you can mix and match a variety of flavors by adding yummy mix-ins. Plus, you can capitalize on the plethora of in-season fruits and turn your beverage into a sweet, flavorful treat. While your family may down a pitcher of iced tea in a day, popsicles will make it last longer in the freezer.

Depending on the strength of your affinity for iced tea, you can use either concentrate or brewed versions in these desserts. Or, if you don't want to whip up a batch of tea, a bottled one will do the trick. All you have to do is combine it with a fruit puree or chopped up fruit pieces of your choice, pour the mixture into popsicle molds, and freeze. If you'd like a little extra sweetness, you can also add sugar, honey, maple syrup, or a flavored syrup.

The fun of iced tea popsicles is that you can use any tea and fruit combination you'd like. If you're not sure where to start, try turning a dessert-like beverage like sweet tea into a frozen treat. You'll need brewed black tea (or concentrate), sugar, lemon juice, and a few mint leaves. Make sure to mix the sugar in with the tea while it's hot so that it dissolves, then chill completely. Next, combine the sweet tea and lemon juice, pour it into a popsicle mold, and add the mint leaves. It's a good idea to pre-freeze your molds so they're nice and cold when you're ready to go. After the tea-filled molds have been in the freezer for about an hour, you can slide the sticks in before putting everything back.

If you're not into sweet tea, simply pick your favorite flavor and freeze it along with a complementary fruit puree or fruit pieces. For example, combine lemon, strawberry, blueberry, or mango with green or mint tea (the latter of which will make an extra-refreshing popsicle). Feel free to add other ingredients that will elevate your homemade tea – herbs, tapioca pearls, and coconut flakes are just a few options, while a little condensed milk will launch your boring black tea to Thai iced tea status. Lemonade, when mixed with tea and frozen, will give you an Arnold Palmer popsicle. What delicious concoction will you dream up?