Watermelon and Basil Iced Tea
It’s that time of the year for fresh watermelon, the simple super food!!! It is extremely hydrating and so good for you. In addition to being delicious, this refreshing drink has numerous health benefits due to the herbs, green tea and watermelon. A perfect summertime drink!
The great green tea. The Chinese have known about the many positive affects of consuming this amazing tea since ancient times, using it to treat everything from headaches to depression. It is a great cancer fighter, reduces infections and cardiovascular diseases, helps with rheumatoid arthritis, and lowers levels of cholesterol in the body. So, what is there NOT to love about the great green tea. Nadda! Get your daily dose of the great green tea.
The beautiful basil. This herb has some serious mind-body benefits, from busting stress to clearing your skin. Besides having more clear skin, it lowers cortisol levels in the body due to stress and keeps you calmer and relaxed. Basil also replenishes iron levels in the body, especially around the time when you are menstruating. So, consuming more basil around that time of the month, will do wonders for you physically and mentally! Here is the recipe below. Hope you enjoy this lovely drink. Definitely a two thumbs up for me!!!!
SERVES: 8
INGREDIENTS:
8 cups boiling water
8 ounce tea bags, jasmine green tea
1/8 watermelon, medium size, cut into small triangles or squares
1 small bunch fresh basil sprigs
sweetener, to taste
INSTRUCTIONS:
Pour 8 cups of boiling water into a heat resistant pitcher. Add 8 tea bags and let steep for about 10 minutes.
Remove and discard the bags and allow the tea to cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
To assemble, cut the watermelon into wedges and gather the flesh, cut into cubes. Reserve 8 cubes for garnish. Combine the watermelon and iced tea into the blender and puree until smooth.
Pour into 8 tall glasses. Garnish with watermelon cubes and fresh basil leaves, or preferred herbs. Super simple elegance. Enjoy!