5 Ways to Make Your Iced Tea Fabulous

Although the season is winding down, the sun refuses to stop shining and the bright and sunny spirit of good vibes continues to flow through the remaining days. Take advantage any opportunity you have to relax in a comfortable spot with a source of entertainment (i.e., music, book, sketchpad) and a nice tall glass of iced tea. If you've been sippin' on this summer staple all season and need a little change in your go-to drink, try out some of these creative ideas on how you can make your iced tea taste fabulous!

1. Use an infuser. Infusers are extremely convenient because they keep your mixed ingredients separated from the liquid (i.e., water or iced tea) and give you a subtle shot of flavor without an excessive calorie load. Many food bloggers have created recipes for users to try out and play with, and can be modified in limitless ways depending on your taste preference. Below are a couple examples of some recipes to try out! (Note: Instead of using water in these recipes, use iced tea!)

• Grapefruit and Rosemary: This detoxifying combination of grapefruit and rosemary gives you a healthy twist to your summer drink. Sweetener is not required for this recipe, but can be added to enhance flavor. Click here to get the recipe. Not sure how to use an infuser? No problem! Click here to get a quick tutorial.

• Grape Strawberry Lime: Natural sweetness from strawberries and grapes helps to provide your iced tea with a sugary kick, and little bit of lime to give it a zesty bite. Limes can be substituted for lemons, depending on your taste preference. Click here for the recipe and directions. 

>> One of our Resident Moms reviewed the Kitchen Frontier Infusion Pitcher. Click here to read her thoughts!

2. Throw in fruits and herbs. If you don't have an infuser and are not interested in purchasing one, mix in fruits and herbs to get a similar taste experience. An infuser will keep the ingredients separate from your tea to prevent any loose leaves or chunks of fruit from being swallowed, but herbal and fruit combinations are still highly encouraged. Check out these options below:

• Very Berry Iced Tea with Honey Mint Syrup: The honey mint syrup makes this recipe unique from other iced tea recipes, and is definitely worth trying if you want to try something sweet and creative to drink. Click here to get this yummy recipe!

• Lemon Blueberry Iced Tea: Loaded with refreshing lemon and sweet blueberries, this recipe is great to make in large batches to enjoy throughout a long and relaxing afternoon. This recipe also takes a little bit of time for the flavor to lock in, so make this drink in advance! (via My Recipes)

3. Jazz up your ice cubes. Instead of infusing loose herbs, fruits and spices into your iced tea, try experimenting with different ice cube recipes to help enhance the flavor of your beverage. These powerful little flavor cubes will gradually melt into your drink and increasingly boost the taste of your iced tea. Get creative with your combinations, and feel free to add in extra fruits for additional deliciousness.

• Strawberry and Basil: Add a sweet and aromatic addition to your iced tea by making these strawberry and basil ice cubes. This recipe is great for those who want to add subtle excitement to their iced tea. Get the recipe here!

• Blueberry and Blackberry ice cubes: This recipe is perfect for those who want to gradually add in a fruity flavor to their iced tea. It's fitting for the summer time and will taste amazing in a variety of iced teas. Get this antioxidant-loaded recipe here! 

4. Throw some bubbles in it. Kids and adults can both enjoy the unique and distinct culinary experience of bubble tea. Originating from Asian cuisine, these small, squishy and often flavorless bubbles can add an exciting texture to many drinks, including iced tea! Milk is commonly used in popular bubble tea drinks, but can be easily substituted with soy milk and rice milk. Try out this tasty bubble iced tea recipe and let us know what you think!

5. Spike it. It's the end of summer and you've got a busy year ahead of you. Go ahead and make that iced tea that you're sippin' on during your day off worth it. Cheers!

• Sweet Tea Mojitos: Mojitos are another summer staple that deserves to be enjoyed by hard-working mamas. This recipe is best enjoyed with fresh mint and ripe limes. Click here to check it out!

• Mint Julep Sweet Tea: Regardless if you are wearing a large, flamboyant hat at the Kentucky Derby, or just relaxing on your patio with your favorite book in hand, a mint julep is acceptable for anyone who needs a little twist to her summer afternoon. Similar to the mojito recipe, this drink is best with fresh ingredients. Click here to see!

Have any other ideas or recipes that you can't get enough of? Comment below!