tea

Mocktail or Iced Tea??

Mangocha™ green iced tea mocktail with mango puree, muddled mint and simple syrup. Served in 2 unique iced tea glasses with a mint leaf garnish.

MangoMint Tea Mocktail made with Jadetiger’s Mangocha™ Green Iced Tea

Slowly but surely warm days are brewing and instead of making that usual hot cup of tea, we’re now reaching for a refreshing cup of iced tea. It’s the perfect form of Summer hydration and here we’re sharing easy ways to make a tea’licious cup for yourself and your friends.

Jadetiger regulars love soaking up these mocktail recipes, but sometimes just a humble cup of tea over a tall glass of ice does the job. When is a mocktail appropriate over a glass of iced tea? And what’s the difference?

An iced tea is as simple as its name. You can pour leftover hot tea over ice or steep an entire gallon of tea concentrate. Just make sure the tea is steeped longer so by the time you add ice, the essence of the tea still shines through.

If steeping from individual tea bags: Add 1 bag of Jadetiger tea to every 4 oz of boiled water (half the water ratio of a cup of hot tea). Steep for at least 10 minutes, longer if a higher concentrate is desired, bring to room temp and then add ice. The key here is the less water, the stronger the tea, hence making a tea “concentrate”.

An efficient way to brew a large quantity of iced tea is to make our user-friendly Jadetiger iced tea pillow, a pantry staple and favorite amongst summer iced tea drinkers. To steep iced tea from a Jadetiger iced tea pillow: Add one pillow to 1-gallon of boiling spring water. Let steep for at least 15 minutes and longer for more intensi'tea.

Don’t forget, your tea is as delicious as the cup you serve it in. Pick your favorite and if needed, splurge and buy a couple new iced tea glasses for the Summer. After all, this is your iced tea moment, enjoy taking in all the good energy.

Typically an iced tea is all you need. Some may add in a sweetener or a splash of citrus. But when you’re feeling a little extra and want some character and more personality to your cup, it’s time to move into mocktail territory! 

A mocktail is a mixed drink that combines vibrant and playful flavors, usually balancing sweet (honey or sugar of choice), sour (lemon or lime), and fresh herbs to make the ultimate refreshment (it’s just shy of a shot of alcohol to turn a mocktail to a cocktail and a summer picnic into a summer dance party!)

So now, grab your favorite glass and let’s turn our Mangocha™ green iced tea into one of our beloved summer drinks, the MangoMint Mocktail:

  • INGREDIENTS:

  • Fresh mint sprigs

  • Mango puree (frozen or fresh mango pureed in a blender)

  • Mangocha™ Green Iced Tea

  • Lemon Juice

  • Simple Syrup (1 part sugar dissolved in 1 part water)

  • Ice

  • Glass Tea Cup

  • Measuring Spoon

  • Muddler

  • Optional: Cocktail Shaker

  • INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Muddle 2 fresh mint sprigs (or about 6-8 leaves) at the bottom of a glass cup; wilt leaves in a crushing movement about 10 - 12 times.

  • Add 5 tablespoons mango puree and continue muddling for 10 -15 seconds

  • Add a scoop of ice

  • Pour in 6 - 8 oz Mangocha™ Green Tea

  • Add 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • Add 3 tablespoons simple syrup

  • Stir or jostle in a cocktail shaker (aeration adds brightness)

  • Garnish with a fresh slice of mango and mint sprig

  • Enjoy!

That was fun, but guess what?? We’re releasing more mocktail recipes in the coming weeks, so stay tuned to this blog and Instagram for tea’liciousness like Peach Rosemary Spritz, Hibiscus Citrus Refresher, and Strawberrycha™ Basil Mocktail. Together let’s make this the endless Summer of healthy hydration and relaxing tea moments, cheers!

SPRING IS HERE!

Can you feel it? Painted Lady butterflies are migrating, California poppies are super blooming, nature’s internal clock is changing, daylight is saving….! However, I’m not ready to make the jump from hot to iced tea yet. The exciting Spring feeling is welling up in me , so I decided to set a few pastel-inspired tea tables to share.

We will be camping in Anza Borrego in a couple weeks. I can’t wait to share how I tea outdoors - there’s nothing like sipping an amazing cup of tea while taking in fresh skies, greenery, and clean, organic solitude. Later in April we’ve got a Peruvian adventure planned that includes a medicinal and herbal hike. I definitely see a cup of maté de coca in my future (which Is banned from the states for it’s minuscule cocaine content). I am so excited to learn about indigenous remedies. The kids have native Andean blood running through their veins, so we will be literally and figuratively getting back to our roots. What do you have planned this Spring?

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Rosie the Riveter Sips Tea on International Women's Day!

I'm so glad to be a Woman entrepreneur.  15-years ago I left the corporate world to start my own business in real estate & I have no regrets.  My brokerage thrived & I worked my tail off... However, a cancer diagnosis a few years a…

I'm so glad to be a Woman entrepreneur.  15-years ago I left the corporate world to start my own business in real estate & I have no regrets.  My brokerage thrived & I worked my tail off... However, a cancer diagnosis a few years ago made me re-think my career path & stress level... So while Momming, Wifing, Friending, Working, & Volunteering {in that order, LOL} - I slowly started building a tea brand - pouring all my creative might & love into this life project.  If I weren't a Woman, I feel like wouldn't be as detailed, thoughtful, and inclusive as I could be.  Cheers to International Women's Day, and a BIG shout to to being proud to be American to have the freedom and privilege to make these free decisions.