Delicious Summer Cocktail Recipes

The official start of summer is this weekend and most people will be firing up the grill and mixing the cocktails! Pure Leaf™ brings its fresh-brewed taste to any occasion with refreshing cocktails.
Pure Leaf-Inspired Cocktails


ASIAN SPICY CUCUMBER HONEY GREEN TEA
2 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
10 slices cucumber (about 1/4-inch thick)
2 slices lime (about 1/4-inch thick)
Pinch ground red pepper
1 bottle Pure Leaf™ Not Too Sweet Honey Green Tea
Crush cucumber, lime and red pepper with wooden spoon in 1-quart glass measuring cup. Stir in Pure Leaf™ Not Too Sweet Honey Green Tea. Strain and serve in ice-filled glasses. Garnish, if desired, with additional cucumber and lime.
For a cocktail version, simply add 1/4 cup vodka.

PEACH BLUEBERRY-BASIL ICED TEA
2 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
1/4 cup blueberries
5 large fresh basil leaves
1 bottle Pure Leaf™ Not Too Sweet Peach Tea
Crush blueberries and basil with wooden spoon in 1-quart glass measuring cup. Stir in Pure Leaf™ Not Too Sweet Peach Tea. Strain and serve in ice-filled glasses. Garnish, if desired, with additional blueberries and basil.
For a pitcher, simply double the recipe.
For a cocktail version, simply add 1/4 cup light rum.

PEACHY-GINGER TEA THYME
2 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
3 slices fresh ginger, about 1/8-inch thick
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bottle Pure Leaf™ Not Too Sweet Peach Tea
Crush ginger and thyme with wooden spoon in 1-quart glass measuring cup. Stir in Pure Leaf™ Not Too Sweet Peach Tea. Strain and serve in ice-filled glasses. Garnish, if desired, with additional ginger and thyme.
For a pitcher, simply double the recipe.
For a cocktail version, simply add 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey.

POMEGRANATE MAR-TEA-NI
1 serving
Prep Time: 5 minutes
2 ounces of Pure Leaf™ Lemon Iced Tea
2 ounces pomegranate juice
In shaker filled with ice, add all ingredients. Shake well, then strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish, if desired, with lemon peel.
Serving suggestion: Moisten rim of chilled martini glass with lemon wedge, then coat with colored sugar.

Strawberry Black Peppercorn Peach Tea
2 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
2 tsp. black peppercorns
6 strawberries
1 bottle Pure Leaf™ Not Too Sweet Peach Tea
Crush peppercorns with wooden spoon in 1-quart glass measuring cup. Add strawberries and mash well. Stir in Pure Leaf™ Not Too Sweet Peach Tea. Strain and serve in ice-filled glasses. Garnish, if desired, with additional sliced strawberries.
*Substitution: Instead of peppercorns, simply add 1/8 teaspoon finely ground black pepper.
For a cocktail version, simply add 1 cup chilled sparkling wine after straining.

Minted Melon Iced Honey Green Tea
2 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
6 chunks honeydew melon, about 1-1/2 inches square
15 large fresh mint leaves
1 bottle Pure Leaf™ Not Too Sweet Honey Green Tea
Crush honeydew and mint with wooden spoon in 1-quart glass measuring cup. Stir in Pure Leaf™ Not Too Sweet Honey Green Tea. Strain and serve over ice. Garnish, if desired, with additional honeydew and mint sprigs.
For a pitcher, simply double the recipe.
For a cocktail version, simply add 1/4 cup vodka.
Summertime Entertaining tips from Ted Allen:

When you’re barbecuing, make it easier on yourself by prepping ahead with side dishes that don’t need to be heated: Bean salads, pasta salads, even a panzanella bread salad are easy to make ahead, and that frees you up to be the Grill Master.
The delicate, refreshing flavor of tea pairs beautifully with almost any food. Think of its abilities to clean your palate of rich, sweet flavors, and to compliment more delicate ones. Offer a range of teas–sweet, unsweetened, not-too-sweet, peach–to give your guests choices, then serve with interesting garnishes (cherries, kiwi, blood orange, Meyer lemon, and a selection of herbs).
Nobody wants to hear themselves chewing at a dinner party, so don’t let “dead air” happen at yours! For a fun ambience, the music must never stop. Develop a playlist of elegant background music–no surprises like heavy metal or John Philip Sousa. My go-to is Chet Baker.
Learn More about Pure Leaf Tea on their Facebook page