It can be tough to stay hydrated in the Texas heat, but we’re here to help. These easy and refreshing drink recipes are perfect for pool parties, relaxing on the patio, or enjoying with some barbecue.


 
Blackberry Sweet Tea
 
Ingredients:
*1 pinch of baking soda
*4 cups boiling water
*4 tea bags
*2 1/2 cups cold water
*3 cups blackberries, fresh or frozen/thawed
*1 1/4 cups sugar
*1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
 
Directions:
1. Crush blackberries and sugar together in a large container.
2. Add mint and baking soda; set aside.
3. Drape tea bags over the side of a pitcher; pour boiling water into the pitcher.
4. Steep for 3 minutes; remove and discard tea bags.
5. Combine tea and blackberry mixture; rest for 1 hour.
6. Strain through a mesh sieve.
7. Add cold water and stir.
8. Refrigerate before serving.
 

 
Citrus Mint Tea

Ingredients:
*1 cup white sugar
*1 cup water
*4 black tea bags
* 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
*2 quarts cold water
*1 cup orange juice
* 6 tablespoons lemon juice
 
Directions:
1. Dissolve sugar in boiling water.
2. Add tea bags and mint; steep for 10 minutes.
3. Strain mixture; discard tea bags and wilted mint.
4. Combine tea mixture with cold water, orange juice, and lemon juice.
5. Refrigerate before serving.
 

 
Classic Lemonade
 
Ingredients:
*6 lemons, enough to make 1 cup of juice
*1 cup white sugar
*6 cups cold water
 
Directions:
1. Juice the lemons via your preferred method of juicing.
2. Stir together lemon juice, sugar, and water.
3. Serve over ice.
 

 
Ginger Honey Lemon Iced Tea
 
Ingredients:
*1 4-inch piece of ginger, washed, peeled, and sliced
*1 lemon, juiced and zested
*1/2 cup honey
*6 cups water
*Springs of mint, for garnish
 
Directions:
1. Combine ginger, water, and lemon zest in water; bring to a boil.
2. Steep for 30-45 minutes.
3. Strain through a mesh sieve.
4. Add remaining ingredients.
5. Refrigerate before serving.
 


Old Fashioned Sweet Tea
 
Ingredients:
*1 pinch baking soda
*2 cups boiling water
*6 black tea bags
*3/4 cup white sugar
*6 cups cool water
 
Directions:
1. Add baking soda to the bottom of a glass pitcher.
2. Place tea bags over the edge, pour boiling water into the pitcher.
3. Steep for 15 minutes; remove and discard tea bags.
4. Add sugar and cool water to the rest of the mixture.
5. Refrigerate before serving.
 

 
Peach Iced Tea
 
Ingredients:
*1 cup sugar
*9 cup hot water
*2 peaches, sliced
*4 black tea bags
 
Directions:
1. Combine, peaches, sugar, and 1 cup of water in a saucepan; bring to a boil until the sugar is dissolved. Crush peaches.
2. Remove from heat; steep for 30 minutes.
3. Brew tea according to directions; remove tea bags and discard.
4. Strain syrup through a mesh sieve.
5. Combine syrup and tea mixture in a large pitcher.
6. Refrigerate before serving.
 

 
Rosemary Watermelon Lemonade
 
Ingredients:
*2 cups water
*3/4 cups white sugar
*1 sprig rosemary, stripped and chopped
*2 cups lemon juice
*12 cups watermelon
*8 cups ice cubes
*Springs of rosemary, for garnish
 
Directions:
1. Dissolve sugar in boiling water; add rosemary, steep for 1 hour.
2. Combine watermelon and lemon juice in a blender; blend until smooth.
3. Strain through a mesh sieve.
4. Refrigerate before serving.
 

 
Watermelon Green Tea
 
Ingredients:
*3 cups green tea
*8 cups watermelon, cubed
*1 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
*1/2 cups seltzer
*Springs of mint, for garnish
 
Directions:
1. Combine green tea, watermelon, and lemon juice in a blender; blend until smooth.
2. Strain through a mesh sieve.
3. Refrigerate until cool.
3. Add seltzer