Strawberry Tea Smoothies

Strawberry Tea Smoothies

A light aromatic Strawberry Iced Tea paired with fresh and frozen (to make it thicker) strawberries, makes a nice refreshing frosty beverage for you to enjoy on a hot summer day.

• 4 Tbsp good quality loose leaf Strawberry Tea (I used “Blazing Strawberries” from DAVIDs TEA)
• 8 Cups hot (almost boiling) water

• 1 1/2 Cups fresh strawberries
• 1 Cup frozen strawberries (to thicken the smoothie)
• 1 1/2 Cups crushed ice
• 3 Cups prepared Strawberry Iced Tea
• 1 Tbsp Agave or alternate sweetener (if desired)

Directions
If you have a tea-pot with a built-in filter or infuser, use that. My Tea Pot has an infuser but my tea-pot isn’t as big as my iced tea jug, so I made 2 pots of tea.

Earlier in the day or the day before, prepare Strawberry Tea by placing loose tea leaves in a filter and adding the hot water.
Steep for at least 5-10 minutes. Allow to cool, then place in refrigerator to chill.

To make the smoothies; place the smoothie ingredients (except Agave or sweetener) in a blender and blend until smooth. Taste for sweetness. Add Agave syrup or sweetener of choice (if desired).
Pour into drinking glasses and garnish with a whole strawberry (as pictured) or lime, mint leaves or whatever you have on hand. Cheers!

Variations
Spiked version ~ add a couple of ounces of chilled white Wine or 1 to 1 1/2 oz of your favourite Rum or Tequila.

View Print Friendly Recipe Here

I wasn’t sure if I should call my icy concoction a Smoothie or a Frosty or a Slushy? I decided, as I often do these days, to turn to Google for the answer. My search found, that when it comes to frozen drinks, people’s ideas on what makes up a smoothie versus a frosty versus a slushy (and even in some cases a milkshake versus a float) are totally undecided. It’s no wonder I was feeling unsure. According to my faithful Search Engine, the world is somewhat divided when it comes to the subject of frozen beverages.

 

Well, I figured there wasn’t much point mulling it over any longer…I dubbed my new drink “Strawberry Tea Smoothies”. Strawberry is in the name obviously because the fruit is a feature ingredient in this cool and refreshing summer beverage but “Tea”? In a Smoothie?
The inspiration for this frozen concoction came early Thursday morning while I was sipping a lovely cup of “Blazing Strawberries” loose leaf herbal Tea from DAVIDs TEA.

I became a tea drinker a few years ago, after giving up coffee because it upset my stomach. I am obsessed with high quality loose leaf (mostly herbal) teas and these days, DAVIDs TEA is feeding my obsession. I have to carefully avoid their Store whenever I’m in the Mall. I just know that if I step through the Store’s doors, I won’t be able to walk away without picking up an arm full of their lovely (but somewhat costly) teas.  One time when I was in the store, one of the staff members suggested I try Blazing Strawberries Tea. She said it is wonderful when served chilled. She was right. The light but aromatic tea I was sipping on Thursday morning, just screamed Iced Tea.

I chilled what was left in my Teapot and wondering what it would taste like to add some fruit to the light but aromatic iced tea, I ran out to my local Produce Store and picked up some fresh juicy local BC Strawberries and the deal was on.  I dug out my blender, poured in the Iced Strawberry Tea, added some fresh and frozen (to make it thicker) strawberries and a handful of crushed ice…and I’m in love!

 

 

Look at these beautiful beverages. Doesn’t it make you want to run right out and get the ingredients? It does me. In fact, I made a second batch after my husband got home that evening. He added a splash of rum to his Strawberry Tea Smoothie and swore it was perfect. Then today, while out at Granville Island Public Market, we picked up some more fruit. I had to make another batch…I just had to, after all, I forgot to get the measurements the first two times I made them…hehe.

This time, I enjoyed my beverage in the late afternoon when the heat of the day was slowing me down.

I sat for a long moment, outside on the back deck, sipping a nice frosty beverage on a hot summer afternoon.  I listened to the melody of the birds as their songs drowned out the noise of the traffic from the highway over across the way.  Urban bliss?  I smile. The flowers and herbs in my planters look so alive, so colourful, and so beautiful. I’m content, I’m in love.

 

Gluten Free info from DAVIDs TEA FAQ page “Are your teas gluten-free? Yes. All of our teas are completely gluten free”

Are you interested in ways to include Tea in your baking? If so, have a look at what these fellow bloggers created…

Stephanie at Lunges and Lunch uses blueberry tea in her Blueberry Coconut Bites. Her little scones look so yummy. Something I’m going to have to try my hand at.

Alta over on Tasty Eats At Home posted a recipe calling for “leaves from 3 bags of Earl Grey tea, crushed fine” in her Lemon Earl Grey Cookies. I used Alta’s recipe earlier this year as a basis for my own Earl Grey Cookies. They are divine and make the Fox Kitchen smell oh so warm and cozy. More of a cool weather recipe, I’m going to have to share it with you in a future posting

Have you ever used Tea in your baking? If so, please leave me a message in the comments section below. I would love to hear from you about your ideas and experiences.

This recipe is linked to:

Wellness Weekends. Ricki at Diet, Dessert and Dogs host’s this event every weekend over the summer. Make sure to hop on over to Ricki’s Blog to view my recipe and check out all the other great entries.

Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays. Amy at Simply Sugar and Gluten Free hosts this popular recipe sharing event every Tuesday. Check out my recipe and all the other great entries over on Amy’s SS&GF blog.

Gluten Free Wednesdays. Linda at The Gluten-Free Homemaker is the host for this weekly event. Linda has chosen Gluten-Free Beverages as the theme for July. Over on her blog, you will find many creative recipes including but not limited to beverage recipes like mine.

Enjoy!
Laureen
XO