25% Off Superblends
-
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Summer Refresh 

SUMMER REFRESH

It might not feel like it, but it IS actually summer. And there’s only one thing us Brits love more than talking about the weather, and that’s tea. So, whether you’re lazing in the glorious sunshine (feels like a distant memory at the moment) or you just want to brighten up a gloomy August day, then you can’t go wrong with a cup of tea.

As an eternal tea-drinker, I love nothing better than kick-starting my day with a proper mug of English Breakfast but in the summer months it’s really nice to change things up a bit. I have a sweet tooth to say the least (although I don’t take sugar in my tea, thank you) and was excited to try the new range of LUSH green teas from Twinings. Personally, I’m not a huge lover of green tea on its own and can often find it quite bitter, but when it’s blended with something fruity or sweet it tastes heavenly.

Err, hello chocolate and coconut green tea. This one was everything you’d want in a sweet-tasting tea, full of flavour but not sickly sweet and with a kick of coconut. And I opted for this as a proper brew. One teabag per person, brewed for around 1-3 minutes (I tend to brew for 2 minutes as I don’t like my fruity teas overly sweet) and drunk in a see-through glass mug. And yes, this one I accompanied with some dark chocolate - making it THE PERFECT 3 o’clock tea when that sugar craving finds you.

ENTERTAINING AT HOME

Not only am I an eternal tea-drinker, but I’m also an eternal home bird and love nothing better than when friends and family come to visit. Whether for lunch, dinner, or just a cuppa, I’m happiest when entertaining at home. So it’s important to me that I have a variety of things to offer and these green teas are SO versatile. In the warmer weather an iced tea goes down a treat and the cherry bakewell tea makes for the perfect summer-time bevvy.

CHERRY BAKEWELL ICED TEA

Ingredients Per Glass

QtyIngredient
1
Twinings Cherry Bakewell Green Tea Bag
140mlFreshly Boiled Water
20mlHomemade Sugar Syrup
- 2 Parts Caster Sugar to 1 Part Water
- Simmer and Stir until Sugar Dissolves
 Squeeze of Lime
Lime (Garnish)
Ice

Method

  • Infuse the Twinings Cherry Bakewell Green Tea for around 2 minutes (I used my Alison Appleton Fritz teapot).
  • Pour sugar syrup, ice, and a squeeze of lime into your see-through glass and mix well.
  • Strain the tea into the glass and top with ice and stir.
  • Garnish with a slice of lime.

SUMMER NIGHTS

  • Tea and cake definitely go hand in hand, so lemon drizzle green tea HAS to be a winner. And it was even more of a winner when I made a cheeky little fizz cocktail with it. Ideal for those balmy summer evenings when you can just sit back, relax and unwind with friends and family - and this drink is pure summer in a glass. You can add sparkling water for the designated drivers and those that want something non-alcoholic.

LEMON DRIZZLE GREEN TEA FIZZ

Ingredients Per Glass

QtyIngredient
1
Twinings Lemon Drizzle Green Tea Bag
100mlFreshly Boiled Water
1 ½ tbspCaster Sugar
Top with Fizz
GarnishBlueberries, Strawberries or Raspberries

Method

  • Infuse the Twinings Lemon Drizzle Green Tea Bag for 3 minutes.
  • Strain the tea and leave to cool.
  • Add 1 ½ spoons of caster sugar to a champagne flute.
  • Once the tea is cool add to the flute and top with fizz.
  • Garnish with a soft berry.
  • And then there are those evenings when it starts to get a little chilly, the ones where you reach for a blanket and curl up with a good book or just star gaze or watch the sun set. And to really make the most of this you need a little hot toddy.

    My favourite of all the Twinings green teas will probably forever be the salted caramel AND it makes the best tea toddy. The latest addition to our family, Buckley the cockapoo, was a big fan of the salted caramel tea too (he’s clearly settled in VERY well!).

SALTED CARAMEL GREEN TEA TODDY

Ingredients Per Glass

QtyIngredient
1
Twinings Salted Caramel Green Tea Bag
140mlFreshly Boiled Water
20mlHomemade Sugar Syrup
- 2 Parts Caster Sugar to 1 Part Water
- Simmer and Stir until Sugar Dissolves
A Good Glug of Apple Juice
 Slices of Apple (Garnish)
Add Whiskey or Brandy to Taste*

Method

  • Infuse the Twinings Salted Caramel Green Tea Bag for around 2 minute.
  • Strain the tea into the glass and add the sugar syrup and apple juice.
  •  Add whiskey or brandy to taste* - and give it a good stir.
  • Garnish with a slices of apple.
  • * Alcohol is optional, it tastes fab without too - And, don’t worry, Buckley had the non-alcoholic version of the tea toddy... he is tea-total.
  • Whether you want to cool down, feel fruity, or just celebrate the summer in style, these teas are the perfect way to soak up the sunshine.

    Happy summer tea time!

    Ciara & Buckley x

FOLLOW TEA & TOAST

  • Cíara lives in a little village, just on the outskirts of Winchester, with her husband, Ross, and their two cats, Boris and Pancake, and new arrival puppy dog, Buckley.