When the heat keeps you reaching for something cold every few minutes, few drinks hit the spot like a good iced tea. The fruity versions served at cafés taste great, but they're just as hard on the wallet. The good news: that restaurant-style flavour is surprisingly easy to recreate in your own kitchen — and litchi makes a brilliant base for it.
Why Litchi and Tea Work So Well Together
Litchi carries its own natural sweetness, and when it meets the light, mildly tannic taste of black tea, the result is a beautifully balanced drink you'll want to make again and again. Best of all, it asks for very little time and almost no effort.
What You'll Need
- 8-10 fresh or canned litchi
- 2 tea bags (black tea)
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2-3 tablespoons honey or sugar (to taste)
- Ice cubes
- Mint leaves
How to Make It
Start by bringing 2 cups of water to a boil in a pan. Once it's boiling, drop in both tea bags and let them steep for 3-4 minutes so the colour and flavour come through properly. Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool down completely.
Next, peel the litchi and take out the seeds. Put the peeled flesh into a blender and blitz it into a smooth purée — for an even silkier drink, blend it well for a little longer.
Now take a large jug and combine the cooled tea, the litchi purée, the lemon juice and the honey or sugar, mixing everything together thoroughly. Add plenty of ice on top and pop the jug into the fridge for a while so the drink chills nicely.
To serve, fill a tall glass with ice cubes first, then pour the prepared litchi iced tea over it. Finish by garnishing with a few mint leaves and small pieces of litchi — your restaurant-style litchi iced tea is ready to enjoy.
A Drink That's Good for You Too
This one isn't just a treat for the taste buds. Litchi is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants and water, all of which help keep the body hydrated. Paired with the chill of iced tea in the punishing summer heat, it offers a real sense of refreshment — flavour and relief in a single glass.
