Lemon Earl Grey and Orange Rooibos Iced Teas

We love a hot cuppa as much as anyone, but when the British summer actually decides to show up, sometimes the last thing you want is a steaming mug of tea.

That’s why we were so excited when our friends over at Leola Bakery came up with a couple of brilliant iced tea recipes using our regular blends. They’ve been serving them to their customers to help beat the heat, and they’ve kindly let us share the recipes with you guys.

If you’ve only ever had our teas hot, this is a really great way to experience them in a completely new light.

Instead of just brewing a normal tea and throwing ice at it (which can just water it down), these recipes use a slow, cold-steep extraction method. It takes a little more patience, but by letting the leaves steep slowly in cold water, you extract all the bright, smooth flavours without any bitterness that you might get from hot tea. It makes for an incredibly crisp, clean drink that’s perfect for a sunny afternoon.

Leola has built these recipes around two of our staples—our classic Earl Grey and our caffeine-free Bush Tea—proving that you don’t need a cupboard full of fancy ingredients to make a really great summer drink.

Grab a jug, clear some space in the fridge, and give these a go. They’re the perfect antidote to the heatwave.

A couple of notes before you start:

  • Both recipes use cold water from the start and need 45 minutes to steep for the best flavour.
  • Honey doesn’t dissolve well in cold liquid, so loosen it with a splash of boiling water first, then stir it through the tea.

Earl Grey & Lemon

Bright, citrussy and a little floral — a classic for a reason.

Ingredients

  • 15 Earl Grey teabags (or 40g Loose Leaf)
  • 1.5L Cold Water
  • 1.5 Lemons, juiced
  • 200g Honey

Method

  1. Steep the 15 teabags in 1.5L cold water for 45 minutes.
  2. Remove the teabags.
  3. Strain in the lemon juice.
  4. Loosen the honey with a splash of boiling water, then stir it through the tea until fully mixed in.

Rooibos & Orange

Naturally caffeine-free and sweet with citrus — an easy crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

  • 10 Bush Tea teabags (or 30g Loose Leaf)
  • 1.5L Cold Water
  • 1 Lemon, juiced
  • 2 Oranges, juiced
  • 150g Honey

Method

  1. Steep the 10 teabags in 1.5L cold water for 45 minutes.
  2. Remove the teabags.
  3. Strain in the lemon and orange juice.
  4. Loosen the honey with a splash of boiling water, then stir through the tea until fully integrated.

Each recipe makes roughly 1.5–2L, approximately 10 servings. But both scale easily, so adjust the quantities to suit your needs. Keep chilled and enjoy within a few days.

If you’re in Stroud, you’ll find our tea on the shelves at Leola Bakery. Pop in for a Stroudie, stay for an iced tea. And wherever you’re reading this from, stay cool, stay hydrated, and steep a little naked joy into your day. 

Big thanks to Naia, Ruth, Andy and the whole Leola Team for sharing these with us!