Watermelon Basil Iced Tea A Refreshing Summer Beverage

This Watermelon Basil Iced Tea is the perfect summer drink—cool, refreshing, and packed with vibrant flavors! Combining the sweetness of fresh watermelon with aromatic basil and a hint of citrus, this iced tea is an easy-to-make, thirst-quenching treat. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue or simply relaxing in the sun, this simple recipe will become your go-to for warm-weather refreshment. Enjoy a refreshing and healthy drink this hot season. It's almost the end of January which has been generally hot. It is at this time that you need to be well hydrated to avoid energy depletion. The best way to stay hydrated without just having to take water is to have iced tea. So, what is iced tea? Iced tea is a form of cold tea. Though usually served in a glass with ice, it can refer to a tea that has been chilled or cooled. It may or may not be sweetened.

Iced tea is also a popular packaged drink. It can be mixed with flavored syrup, with multiple common flavors including lemon, raspberry, lime, passion fruit, peach, orange, strawberry, and cherry. While most iced teas get their flavor from tea leaves, herbal teas are sometimes served cold and referred to as iced tea. Iced tea is sometimes made by a particularly long steeping of tea leaves at lower temperature. Some people call this "sun tea". In addition, it can be left to stand overnight in the refrigerator. Iced tea is popular in Austria and is commonly known as Eistee (iced tea); it is usually drunk heavily sweetened. In Brazil, particularly in Rio de Janeiro, one of the most popular beverages is mate or chá mate.

In Canada, iced tea refers to sweetened iced tea, flavoured with lemon. The iced tea is usually made at home from drink powder or obtained in bottles or cans. Sweetened green teas and those flavoured with raspberry, peach, or pomegranate are becoming more common via marketing efforts. In china Common types of iced tea are black, green, oolong, and lots of herbals as well. Iced herbal teas are especially popular in the hot summers, where "yin" or cooling herbs are used to make tea such as chrysanthemum, kuding tea etc. Cooled tea (but still warm) was popular throughout ancient times. So let's get started on our Watermelon Basil iced Tea

INGREDIENTS

4 Teabags
4 Cups boiling Water
3 Slices Watermelon
1/2 Cup Honey
1/2 Cup Water
1/4 Teaspoon Dried Basil
juice of 2 Limes

INSTRUCTIONS

Place the teabags into a jug

Add boiling Water

You can fill the jug or add water 3/4 way

Allow the teabags to steep for five minutes

After five minutes remove the tea bags from the hot water

Place the jug in the refrigerator and allow to chill for 1 hour or more

Meanwhile cut the water melon into small pieces, and add into the blender

Start blending the cut water melon

Blend the watermelon until it liquidises

Strain the watermelon juice into a large cup or bowl. This is the juice of the watermelon you will get after sieving. Set aside

Pour the 1/2 cup water into a glass and add in the honey. Stir the water and honey until it dissolves completely

Add the dried Basil into the honey water syrup and mix well, set aside

Removed the iced tea from the refrigerator and add into it the watermelon juice

Add in the basil, honey syrup into the jug

Squeeze into the iced tea the juice of two limes. You can squeeze directly or pour an already squeezed fresh lime juice

Stir the mixture until all the ingredients are completely mixed

Pour into mocktail glasses and chill

Garnish with watermelon and lime before serving. If you prefer stronger tea you can steep the tea bags in the hot water for 10 minutes. For an added extra cool drink, you can add in ice cubes just before serving. Delicious!

Perfect for the hot Nairobi weather

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WATERMELON BASIL ICED TEA

by Mulunga Alukwe January-30-2018

Ingredients

• 4 Tea Bags
• 4 Cups Boiling Water
• 3 Slices Watermelon
• 1/2 Cup Honey
• 1/2 Cup Water
• 1/4 Teaspoon Dried Basil
• 2 Lime Juice

Instructions

Place the teabags into a jug. Add boiling Water. Allow the teabags to steep for five minutes. After five minutes remove the tea bags from the hot water. Place the jug in the refrigerator and allow to chill for 1 hour or moreMeanwhile cut the water melon into small pieces, and add into the blender. Blend the watermelon until it liquidizes. Strain the watermelon juice into a large cup or bowlPour the 1/2 cup water into a glass and add in the honey. Stir the water and honey until it dissolves completelyAdd the dried Basil into the honey water syrup and mix well, set asideRemoved the iced tea from the refrigerator and add into it the watermelon juice. Add in the basil, honey syrup into the jug. Squeeze into the iced tea the juice of two limes.Stir the mixture until all the ingredients are completely mixedPour into mock-tail glasses and chill. Garnish with watermelon and lime before servingIf you prefer stronger tea you can steep the tea bags in the hot water for 10 minutes. For an added extra cool drink, you can add in ice cubes just before serving.

Details

Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 1 hour Total time: 1 hour 10 mins Yield: 1

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Watermelon Basil Iced Tea

A refreshing, naturally sweet iced tea infused with fresh watermelon juice and aromatic basil leaves — perfect for hot days!

FAQs

What ingredients are in Watermelon Basil Iced Tea?
This drink combines brewed black or green tea, fresh watermelon juice, fresh basil leaves, a bit of natural sweetener (optional), and ice.

Is it better to use fresh or bottled watermelon juice?
Fresh watermelon juice is recommended for the best flavor and nutrients, but bottled can be used in a pinch—just check for no added sugars or preservatives.

How do you make basil infusion for iced tea?
Steep fresh basil leaves in hot tea for a few minutes, then remove the leaves before chilling. You can also muddle some basil leaves in the drink for a stronger flavor.

Can I make this drink without caffeine?
Yes! Substitute black or green tea with herbal tea or simply use water and infuse with basil and watermelon juice.

Is this drink suitable for diabetics?
Since watermelon has natural sugars, diabetics should consume in moderation or dilute with more water and avoid added sweeteners.

🧾 Printable Nutrition Card (Per 1 cup / 240 ml)

Nutrient	Amount	Notes
Calories	50 kcal	Mostly from natural sugars in watermelon juice.
Total Fat	0 g	Negligible fat content.
Saturated Fat	0 g	No saturated fat.
Carbohydrates	13 g	Natural sugars from watermelon juice; no added sugars if skipped.
Fiber	0.5 g	Minimal from watermelon pulp.
Sugars	12 g	Naturally occurring fruit sugars.
Protein	0 g	No significant protein.
Sodium	5 mg	Very low sodium content.

Dietary Information Table

Dietary Concern	Status	Notes
Vegetarian	✅ Yes	Fully plant-based and free from animal products.
Vegan	✅ Yes	No animal-derived ingredients.
Gluten-Free	✅ Yes	Naturally gluten-free.
Nut-Free	✅ Yes	No nuts involved.
Dairy-Free	✅ Yes	No dairy ingredients.
Soy-Free	✅ Yes	No soy ingredients.
Low Sodium	✅ Yes	Very low sodium content naturally.

Notes:

• Use fresh watermelon for best flavor and nutrients.
• Optional sweetener adds extra calories and sugars.
• Basil adds antioxidants and a refreshing herbal aroma.

Please note that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes used. For precise nutritional information, consider using a nutrition calculator with exact ingredient measurements.