Tulsi Tea Cool Refreshers

What has the power to awaken the senses, energize the body, comfort, and soothe—sometimes all at once—like a good cup of tea? I’ve been turning to the simple pleasure and powers of a nice cuppa a good bit this summer, for all these benefits. I even took my favorite new Organic India flavor (Raspberry Peach) camping. It goes without saying, this has been one tiring and stressful stretch of time. Yet, not without its goodness.

Chef F and I are getting into a modified “back-to-school” mode right now, reading ourselves for the start online first grade. While I’m content with our decision, I can’t quite quell the internal voice sighing with displeasure that I haven’t been more creative by taking on true homeschool for the year. The idea of homeschool—with a thriving cooperative, and community-based learning opportunities without walls— has always intrigued me immensely; in another life, I surely am immersed in it. That’s something of a big deal for a former teacher. I may as well say, “I’m a teacher who doesn’t really care for school”.

The fact is, I’ll take all the time I can get with Chef F while it lasts. Parents are all acquainted with those proud pangs of letting go with the onset of preschool. I guess I just never got over them. That said, at the end of the day, I do logically recognize that Chef F and I need our separate time and space. My workload is flexible enough to fancy homeschooling but heavy enough to know that taking on more than a prepared remote platform would stretch me to breaking point and then some.

So how does this relate to tea? Time blurs these days, to which we can all relate. Chef F and I have holed up a whole bunch in incredible Lego fantasy worlds of his creation, coming up with storylines and asking questions. He asks the most wonderful, thought-provoking questions: “Mommy, what if the dinosaurs were really aliens from another planet, and they didn’t go extinct, but blasted off back into space, leaving disaster and fire from their spaceships behind?” “What exactly made the Big Bang, and what came before that?” “How are people not all related, if one person was borned from someone who was borned from someone, and on and on, and on?”

His questions are fascinating! They inspire awe and pride. They catalyze questions of my own, too, only I’m afraid my brain is so stuck in “how can I get everything done” mode that my wonder is often dull in its focus. Then again, even humdrum household musings can result in beauty. Like, is tea good frozen in popsicles? Yes! Can just about any fruit blend well with tea? Yes! Will Chef F like them? Yes!!

With temperatures heating up, nothing beats a little cool refreshment. But from bottled iced teas to kid favorites like popsicles, summer classics are often loaded with sugars, not to mention a laundry list of unnecessary ingredients. Good news, tossing together healthy flavorful blends couldn’t be simpler.  Try these, and tell me what blends you love best, too, please? xo

Sunny Watermelon Hibiscus Blend
Summer’s quintessential fruit blends beautifully with a hint of tangy hibiscus and a splash of lime. 

• 2 ORGANIC INDIA Tulsi Hibiscus Tea Infusion sachets

• 2 Cups boiled water

• 1 ½ Cups watermelon chunks, seeds removed

• 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice

• 1 Tablespoon agave or other sweetener, optional

Steep tea sachets in boiled water for 5 minutes. Remove sachets and let cool to room temperature.

Transfer tea into a blender with watermelon and lime juice. Blend until smooth, and add sweetener to taste if desired.

Chill and serve over ice or freeze in popsicle molds.

Tulsi Chai Creamsicle 
The warm, soothing flavors of chai meet creamy, summer dreaminess in this sweet and spicy, deceptively indulgent treat.

2 ORGANIC INDIA Tulsi Masala Chai Tea Infusion sachets
1 14-ounce can coconut milk (full fat or light)
1-inch piece of ginger, sliced
½ Teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup

Place tea sachets in a small saucepan with coconut milk and ginger. Bring to a gentle simmer, then remove from heat and steep for at least 5 minutes. Remove sachets and ginger pieces. Stir in vanilla and maple syrup to taste. 

Chill and serve over ice or pour into popsicle molds and freeze.

Tulsi Sweet Rose and Raspberry
Whether you’re celebrating an occasion or simply enjoying a little quiet, delicate floral notes and bright raspberries elevate this luscious blend with a “high tea” feel. 

2 ORGANIC INDIA Tulsi Sweet Rose Tea Infusion sachets
2 Cups boiled water
1 Cup fresh or frozen raspberries, roughly crushed
¼ Cup fresh lemon juice
1 Teaspoon Granulated stevia or equivalent

Steep tea sachets in boiled water for 5 minutes. Remove sachets and add raspberries, lemon juice, and sweetener to taste to tea. 

Chill or freeze in popsicle molds. For coolers, strain or serve as is over ice.

*All blends make approximately 2 coolers, or 4-6 popsicles depending on the mold.