Nothing beats a cup of tea. On a hot day, an ice-cold glass hits the spot - rich in flavor, low in sugar and ready to hydrate you. When you’ve been outside in the cold, a piping cup becomes a comforting experience that you sip slowly to warm up.
At the same time, you don’t want to settle for a boring beverage. If you’re making a drink with sweet tea concentrate from Buddy State, consider trying out the following flavor variations to keep your tastebuds tantalized:
Classic Iced Tea Flavors
When you’re sipping on a chilled glass of sweet tea, flavor variations add a secondary dimension - an extra touch of sweetness or tang that expands the profile. As you mix sweet tea concentrate with cold or iced water, add one or more of the following:
- Citrus: This classic flavor infusion begins with adding a slice of lemon for a tart aftertaste. While you can start here, other variations include adding a few orange slices for a mellower citrus hint, or going in a tropical direction with crushed pineapple. Lime juice, meanwhile, gives it a zing, especially when combined with a splash of soda water.
- Berries: This flavor variation gets close to non-alcoholic sangria territory and adds a tart finish to your sweet tea. Include strawberries, blackberries, raspberries or blueberries, either sliced or chopped into the tea or mashed at the bottom for a syrupy consistency.
- Mint: Summertime calls for mint julep vibes. Whether for enjoying your tea on the go in your water bottle or in a glass at home, add a few mint leaves for a more refreshing profile. Crush them up first and then mix them into your tea for a stronger impact.
- Peach: Who doesn’t love as tall glass of peach sweet tea? We encourage you to go a step further by cutting up or even mashing peaches for this ultimate summertime beverage. The sweetness enhances the notes of Buddy State’s Peach Punk Tea or add a playful contrast to the depth of our Lemon Lush or Sweet Soul
- Coconut: Mix coconut water or coconut milk into your iced tea, perhaps with a dash of lime or pineapple juice, for a milky, sweet and decadently rich concoction that gives you a vacation feeling right from your front porch.
- Savory: If dessert recipes can include basil, why not add this herb to iced tea? Some tea drinkers dabble into savory territory by transforming their drink into a non-alcoholic bloody Mary through tomato juice and chopped basil leaves.
Hot Tea Flavor Variations
Accentuate the comfort factor and add a hint of spice or sweetness with the following:
- Cinnamon: Think fall, even when spring has just started, by brewing a cup of sweet tea concentrate with a cinnamon stick for a spicy, invigorating finish.
- Ginger: Grate up fresh ginger root or add a half-tablespoon of dried ginger to your cup. Ginger complements lemon with tangy, spicy notes, or continue rounding out the flavor profile with cinnamon, cloves and cardamom for a chai-inspired infusion.
- Maple syrup: We’re seeing this added to coffee, so why not tea? Go for the pure stuff for a sweet, caramelized, brown sugar-like flavor complementing the depth of black tea.
**
Searching for the ultimate sweet tea concentrate? Buddy State enhances the flavor while decreasing the sugar content, and sources our product from Rainforest Alliance certified tea. Mix it with water and ice for a refreshing way to stay hydrated, or try it hot (or in a dessert or cocktail recipe) to explore all the possibilities.