When I'm pregnant, more than any other time, I drink iced tea like mad (I almost wrote "like a Mo-Fo" and then remembered this isn't 1997). I am not a hot tea fan, but iced tea is so refreshing, and with summertime fast approaching now is the perfect time to keep a fresh pitcher in your fridge. Which is why I am so excited that Takeya offered me an Iced Tea Maker, along with a line of iced tea flavors, to review and giveaway. That's right, one of YOU will win what you see below, just by commenting on this post! (Please insert my commercial-y ad voice there.)
(the mugs are mine, you can't have those)
Just look at all those flavors! The whole thing is wonderfully simple to make, coming together in just minutes - a bonus when you're pregnant with two small humans to look after. If you can pour, brew and shake, then you can create the perfect glass of iced tea. Here's how you do it...
Pour pre-measured tea into infuser. I tried out the fresh green tea here...
Boil water, let it cool for a few minutes, and then pour into iced tea maker, about halfway full...
After a few minutes of brewing, remove infuser and fill with ice. Seal lid and shake for 30 seconds. Here is mine post-flash chilled...
It's delicious, and did I mention the whole thing is dishwasher safe?! Perfection. There are about a million ways to flavor your tea and make it unique, and below are 4 wonderful recipes to help you do just that. To win your own Iced Tea Maker + Iced Teas, simply comment below and tell me which flavor you're most excited to try! (Must be an official follower of this blog to qualify, and a winner will be chosen at random this Friday, May 16th at 12p EST.)
TAKEYA ICED GREEN TEA: 4 Ways
Pear, Lemon & Ginger
*While every pear variety will infuse to reveal a delicate fruit flavor, we recommend Bosc for its crisp, sweet flavor or Bartlett for its extra juicy fruit.
1) PREP ~ Add sliced ginger to bottom of the pitcher and muddle with a wooden spoon. Tear open the TAKEYA Fresh Green Iced Tea Packets, pour tea into Tea Infuser and twist into lid.
2) BREW ~ Heat water to a boil, cool for 4 minutes and fill the pitcher halfway. Lower the lid with attached Tea Infuser into the hot water, allowing steam to vent, and brew for 3 minutes. Remove the lid and detach the Tea Infuser. Stir in honey until dissolved.
3) FLASH CHILL ~ Top off with ice, seal lid and shake for 30 seconds to flash chill. Remove 1 3/4 cups of the iced tea to make room for the fruit infusion.
4) ADD CITRUS FLAVOR ~ Twist the Citrus Juicer into the top of the pitcher and juice the lemons. Twist off the Citrus Juicer, seal and shake to mix.
5) ADD FRUIT FLAVOR ~ Twist the Fruit Infuser into the Infuser Extender and add chopped pear. Twist the Fruit Infuser into the lid, lower it into the iced tea and seal airtight. Zip on the Thermo Jacket and infuse for 3 hours in the refrigerator.
Strawberry, Basil & Mint Lemonade
*Basil might seem like an unusual ingredient for lemonade, but this earthy herb refreshes the palate while balancing the sweet strawberries, vibrant mint and tart lemon.
1) PREP ~ Add chopped mint and basil to the bottom of the pitcher and muddle with a wooden spoon. Tear open the TAKEYA Fresh Green Iced Tea Packets, pour tea into the Tea Infuser and twist into lid.
2) BREW ~ Heat water to a boil, cool for 4 minutes and fill the pitcher halfway. Lower the lid with attached Tea Infuser into the hot water, allowing steam to vent, and brew for 3 minutes. Remove the lid and detach the Tea Infuser. Stir in honey until dissolved.
3) FLASH CHILL ~ Top off with ice, seal lid and shake for 30 seconds to flash chill. Remove 2 1/3 cups of the iced tea to make room for the fruit infusion.
4) ADD CITRUS FLAVOR ~ Twist the Citrus Juicer into the top of the pitcher and juice the lemons (rinse off Citrus Juicer halfway through juicing to remove pulp and seeds). Twist off the Citrus Juicer, seal and shake to mix.
5) ADD FRUIT & HERB FLAVORS ~ Twist the Fruit Infuser into the Infuser Extender and add chopped strawberries. Twist the Fruit Infuser into the lid, lower it into the iced tea and seal airtight. Zip on the Thermo Jacket and infuse for 3 hours in the refrigerator.
Watermelon, Lime & Mint
*To get an even bigger watermelon kick from this drink, fill glasses with frozen watermelon cubes just before serving the Green Mint iced tea infusion. Just slice watermelon into 1-inch cubes and freeze until solid.
1) PREP ~ Tear open the TAKEYA Green Mint Iced Tea Packets, pour tea into Tea Infuser and twist into lid.
2) BREW ~ Heat water to a boil, cool for 3 minutes and fill the pitcher halfway. Lower the lid with attached Tea Infuser into the hot water, allowing steam to vent, and brew for 3 minutes. Remove the lid and detach the Tea Infuser. Stir in honey until dissolved.
3) FLASH CHILL ~ Top off with ice, seal lid and shake for 30 seconds to flash chill. Remove 2 1/2 cups of the iced tea to make room for the fruit infusion.
4) ADD CITRUS FLAVOR ~ Twist the Citrus Juicer into the top of the pitcher and juice the lime. Twist off the Citrus Juicer, seal and shake to mix.
5) ADD FRUIT & HERB FLAVORS ~ Twist the Fruit Infuser into the Infuser Extender and add chopped watermelon and mint. Twist the Fruit Infuser into the lid, lower it into the iced tea and seal airtight. Zip on the Thermo Jacket and infuse for 3 hours in the refrigerator.
Grapefruit & Lime
*Wake up on the right side of the bed with this bright, citrusy infusion featuring your daily dose of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.
1) PREP ~ Tear open the TAKEYA Green Mint Iced Tea Packets, pour tea into Tea Infuser and twist into lid.
2) BREW ~ Heat water to a boil, cool for 3 minutes and fill the pitcher halfway. Lower the lid with attached Tea Infuser into the hot water, allowing steam to vent, and brew for 3 minutes. Remove the lid and detach the Tea Infuser. Stir in honey until dissolved.
3) FLASH CHILL ~ Top off with ice, seal lid and shake for 30 seconds to flash chill. Remove 2 1/4 cups of the iced tea to make room for the fruit infusion.
4) ADD CITRUS FLAVOR ~ Twist the Citrus Juicer into the top of the pitcher and juice the grapefruits and lime (rinse off Citrus Juicer halfway through juicing to remove pulp and seeds). Twist off the Citrus Juicer, seal and shake to mix before serving. Zip on the Thermo Jacket and infuse for 3 hours in the refrigerator.
*Please note: for the recipes above, a few extra accessories are needed and can be purchased here.
