Mango Ceylon Tea Refresher

Mango Ceylon Refresher Horizontal

If there’s one thing to know about me, it’s that I love a cold, refreshing beverage. In fact, I am sipping on a tall glass of iced tea as I write this very blog! There’s something about having a sweet, citrusy, bubbly, floral, or fruity drink in my hand that can melt away a bad day in no time. The only problem with this refreshment obsession of mine is that those $6 bottles of kombucha and $4 cans of prebiotic sodas tend to add up pretty quickly, especially when I require one in hand at all times on these hot summer days. While my bank account may not appreciate my beverage habit, my taste buds certainly do, so rather than give up my daily afternoon refreshment, I’ve opened myself up to a whole new world of fun and affordable ways to keep my glass full: homemade tea refreshers.

With just a bit of strong-brewed tea, some fresh fruit, a squeeze of citrus, and a healthy pour of sparkling water, it’s surprisingly easy to create a drink that is endlessly customizable and feels a whole lot fancier than the effort required to make it. This Mango Ceylon Tea Refresher is one of my latest creations, combining the smooth flavors of Ceylon and Assam black tea with sweet mango and bright lime. The result is fruity, refreshing, and exactly what I need to keep myself from running to the nearest convenience store for a can of something fizzy.

While I will always have a soft spot for a fancy bottle of kombucha or an ice-cold soda, there’s something especially satisfying about making my own refreshments at home. Not only does it save a few dollars, but it also gives me the freedom to play around with different teas, fruits, herbs, and flavors depending on what I happen to have on hand. As the summer heat rolls in and my need for a cold drink reaches an all-time high, I’ll be keeping a big pitcher of my latest beverage concoction waiting for me whenever I need my afternoon pick-me-up. After all, there’s no reason my beverage budget should have to suffer just because I like to stay hydrated in style.

Mango Ceylon Tea Refresher Recipe

Mango Puree

Makes about 1 cup puree.

Ingredients

2 ripe organic mangoes
1/4 raw local honey
Juice of 1 organic lime
Splash of water

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend on high until smooth and no large chunks remain.
Pour into container of choice and set in fridge while you prep other ingredients.

Pro tip: This mixture should last about 3 days.

Mango Ceylon Tea Concentrate

Makes about 10 servings.

Ingredients

1 heaping cup organic mango Ceylon tea
8 1/2 cups water
1 cup raw honey or agave syrup (or sweetener of choice)
Juice of 2 or 3 limes

Directions

Add loose-leaf tea to infuser of choice. I divided the tea into two large mesh tea balls.
Boil water in pot or tea kettle. Allow to cool for a few minutes, then pour into a large, heat-safe pitcher or bowl.
Drop the tea balls in with the hot water and allow to steep for at least 15 – 20 minutes, but ideally a couple hours to achieve a strong tea concentrate.
Once steeped to your liking, remove tea balls and compost the plant material.
Add sweetener of choice and lime juice. Stir until well combined.
Store tea concentrate in the fridge for up to 3 days, until ready to use.

Now, to put it all together!

Mango Ceylon Refresher Pour