Black tea brewed with fresh spearmint is a refreshing variation on everyone's favorite warm weather beverage.

There is spearmint everywhere in my garden. And I did know better when I brought those first plants home years ago, divided from a deceptively tidy patch in my mother-in-law's yard. Mint spreads aggressively - seasoned gardeners will warn you of this, and you should plant it in a bucket buried in the ground to keep it contained.

Yes, yes, I knew that, and yet... I planted my spearmint right in the dirt anyway. Some part of me just wanted to see how rebellious that mint would really be.

Well, I know for sure now: spearmint is a wild child and it is everywhere. I kind of love that it's everywhere in the garden, and the wild look it creates.

At the height of summer when the spearmint towers over other plants, and stubbornly, repeatedly tries to gain a foothold in the lawn, I realize it has gotten a little too wild.

So I do have to rip up stalks from time to time. Those times, when my fists are full of tall, purple flowered stalks and the scent of mint has filled the air around me, those are perfect times to brew a batch of spearmint iced tea.

Why you'll love this Spearmint Iced Tea

Iced tea is already such a refreshing, warm weather drink but even more so when boosted by cool, fresh mint. The amount of mint steeped in this tea is just enough to give it a subtle, thirst-quenching flavor. And if you really like mint? Just add in more spearmint leaves!

Brewing your own iced tea is always a smart choice: regular black pekoe tea bags are relatively inexpensive. If you prefer the richer flavors of Earl Grey, Irish or herbal teas you can use these instead.

Brewing your own tea gives you a much more flavorful and true-tasting tea that you can sweeten (or not sweeten) as you desire, with any sweetener you desire.

🔪 How to make Fresh Spearmint Iced Tea

Step 1: Prepare the ingredients

Place tea bags (strings and labels removed) and fresh spearmint leaves in a heat-proof bowl. Bring water to a boil.

Step 2: Steep the tea

Pour the boiling water over the tea and mint leaves, and give everything a quick stir. Allow the mixture to steep for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Chill the tea

After 10 minutes remove the tea bags and leaves - you can discard these now. (Compost them if you can!) Allow the tea to cool to room temperature, and then refrigerate it for several hours or overnight until it's really, really cold.

Step 4: Have some tea!

Place ice cubes in a tall glass. Pour the cold tea over and add sweetener if you desire. Garnish the tea with a few fresh spearmint leaves, and sip away!

💭 Notes:

• The amount of fresh spearmint leaves used in this recipe gives a subtle mint flavor to the iced tea - it is not overwhelmingly mint at all. If you prefer a stronger mint flavor, just add in extra spearmint leaves when steeping the tea.
• You can experiment with your favorite kind of tea, whether other black tea varieties, green, or herbal teas.

The recipe is below, and if you're looking for more summery drinks you should give these a look-see!

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