I don’t know about you, but the moment the sun comes out, I crave a refreshing drink to cool off.
A well designed summer drink can do wonders for the mind and body, imparting calm, cool, and homeostasis everywhere.
By “well designed,” I mean a drink that is packed with cooling energies and the power to combat inflammation, irritation, and burning, the bodily symptoms associated with overheating.
This type of refreshing summer drink is a little hard to find amid the copious amounts of sugary, unbalanced drinks on the market.
I think this is why it is so rewarding to make your own. It is so nice to have a pitcher in the fridge for whenever you need some cooling energy.
Today I have an antioxidant blueberry-lemon green tea that is guaranteed to cool you down and satisfy your cravings.
At the same time, this iced green tea will take care of unwanted inflammation. You'll feel refreshed on the spot, so that you can get back to enjoying your life.
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- Better than ice water
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- Summer drink loaded with antioxidants
- Get Your Smoothies & Drinks Ultimate Guide
- How to make blueberry-lemon iced green tea
- Green tea is best
- More summer drink ideas
- Recipe for Antioxidant Blueberry-Lemon Green Tea
- Other recipes you may enjoy
- Tried this recipe? We’d love your review!
Better than ice water
Today’s tasty summer drink is jam-packed with cooling ingredients and beneficial qualities that actually counteract the heat.
The effect of drinking something like this is different from drinking water, or ice water (the obvious choice). Water hydrates, yet it contains zero cooling qualities to speak of.
In fact, drinking ice water (as so many of us do when we feel hot) actually causes the body to heat up, since the body has to produce energy to raise the temperature of the liquid back up to body temperature.
So you can do your body a favor by drinking water at room temperature, and by minimizing your use of ice.
However, the best choice is a summer drink that’s actually designed to cool you down.
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Summer drink loaded with antioxidants
Every ingredient in this blueberry-lemon iced tea is filled with antioxidants that fight summer inflammation.
It’s a triple threat of green tea, whole blueberries, and fresh lemons.
Green tea is 30 percent polyphenols by weight—a literal powerhouse—and blueberries are known as the king of antioxidant foods.
Blueberries are also packed with vitamins C and K, Manganese, and fiber.
And with lemons you get Vitamin C, more polyphenol antioxidants, digestive support, and fresher breath.
Antioxidants are highly desirable because they reduce free radical damage from toxins, as well as inflammation in the body that—if unchecked—can sometimes lead to diseases like cancer.
Earlier I said that the danger of inflammation is high in the summer because it’s the body’s natural response to heat.
It is actually a healthy strategy to avoid overexerting yourself in the sun, and to keep yourself cool.
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How to make blueberry-lemon iced green tea
This recipe calls for a bag of frozen blueberries that you simmer with raw organic sugar, a bit of water, and a touch of lemon.
You could use store-bought blueberry juice, but it wouldn’t be as healthy, because you’d miss out on the fiber and complete nutrition of the whole berries.
The organic raw sugar in this recipe sweetens at just the right level, provides an energy boost, and adds pleasure to your drink.
It is important to use raw sugar (the brown type), because it contains vitamins and minerals that make it a more complete food.
The right kind of sugar in moderation can be incredibly healing to the mind, especially in the summer, since it is cooling, and has the effect of satisfying and calming the mind. For the body, sugar imparts energy, vitality, and strength.
I used a hand blender to pulse up the blueberries to help release their juices and then strained the berries through a coarse strainer, so some of the blueberry fiber stays in the liquid.
Next, you add the fresh lemon juice, which is again squeezed from whole fruit.
Finally, there’s the tea.
Green tea is best
I recommend a strong gunpowder green tea, which has a rich and complex flavor from all the polyphenols.
However, any regular green tea or oolong teas would also be nice here.
You could also experiment with black teas if you prefer.
Green tea contains trace minerals, and a mild, yet stimulating amount of caffeine. It is perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up after gardening or walking.
Further, green tea has anti-anxiety effects, and it can improve your oral health by reducing bacteria.
Imagine! All of these benefits in one drink.
And did I mention that it tastes A-MAZE-ING?
Make a batch and it will keep in the fridge for up to two weeks—if it lasts that long. The lemon, with its antibacterial properties, will keep it nice and fresh.
More summer drink ideas
When I was young, my mom would make a special treat for me whenever we had guests.
The recipe is part 7-Up or Sprite, part orange juice, and part cranberry juice. It was yummy! Thanks mom!
Today I still make this drink, and I am always surprised that nobody else seems to know about it.
It is very similar to a punch.
I have also enjoyed a variation of this drink with some form of sparkling water and a splash of exotic juice, such as guava or pear, added for flavor.
Last year I created another amazing antioxidant drink that I call Turmeric Elixir Cure-All.
Turmeric Elixir changed the game for me when it came to the concept of homemade summer drinks.
Turmeric elixir is one of the most refreshing and satisfying drinks I can have on any day. I highly recommend this recipe to you as well.
In addition to being super refreshing, turmeric elixir calms inflammation and actually makes your insides feel good.
I now keep a batch of concentrated elixir stocked in the fridge year-round.
After the elixir, I resolved to create some new refreshing summer drinks like this one and share the recipes with you.
I hope you enjoy it!
Recipe for Antioxidant Blueberry-Lemon Green Tea
Ingredients
- 16 ounces frozen blueberries, a bag of frozen blueberries, or 2 cups blueberry juice
- 1 cup water
- ¾ cup organic raw sugar
- ½ cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed, about 4 lemons
- 6 cups strong green tea, (sub with black tea)
Instructions
Make the blueberry juice
- Combine blueberries, water, raw sugar, and 1 tablespoon of the fresh lemon juice in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Crush blueberries with a potato masher or an immersion blender to release their juices. Strain through a sieve. Reserve the juice and discard the pulp. Allow to cool.
Make the lemon tea
- Add 6 cups boiling water to 6 teabags or 6 teaspoons of loose tea leaves. For green tea, allow the water to cool first to 170-180 degrees Fahrenheit and steep for 3 minutes. For black tea, use boiling water and steep for 5-7 minutes. Strain out the tea leaves and allow tea to cool.
- Combine blueberry-sugar juice, tea, and the remaining lemon juice in a large jar, bowl, or pitcher. Add ice or cool in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
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Jacqueline
Wow I love this cold blueberry green tea. I often make iced green tea with lemon but adding blueberries (I used fresh ones) makes it even better. And healthier too!
Andrea
Hi Jacqueline, I'm glad you liked it!
Ashley
Wow! What a great drink! So refreshing too!
Andrea
Thanks for your comment! I’m glad you found it refreshing—it’s one of my favorites too.
Sonja
Finally a healthy summer drink that actually feels cooling!
Frankly I even left out the sugar, as I find blueberries around this time of the year are sweet enough on their own. I loved the combo with green tea and lemon. Super refreshing!
Andrea
Thanks for sharing! I love that you went sugar-free—fresh blueberries really do make it naturally sweet!
Swathi
This antioxidant-rich drink is so good and so cooling and healthy too. my kids asked to make it more often.
Andrea
Thanks for your comment! I’m so glad your kids enjoyed it too!
Elisa
I made this for the summer's hot days, and it turned out delicious. Thank you!
Andrea
Hi Elisa, I'm glad you liked it!
Elizabeth
This tea is so yummy! Loved the antioxidant piece of this recipe - this recipe is a summer staple in our house!
Andrea
Hi Elizabeth!
That makes me happy to hear! So glad it’s become a summer go-to for you.
Michele
This tea was packed with blueberry flavour! Served it at our outdoor baby shower and it was a big hit. And pretty too!
Andrea
Hi Michele!
Sounds like the perfect party drink—glad everyone enjoyed it!
Jaleah
This tea was so refreshing!! I absolutely loved that it’s packed with antioxidants.
Andrea
Hi Jaleah!
Thanks! Glad you liked it.
Maggie
So delicious!! This has helped me become the tea girl I've always wanted to be!
Andrea
Hi Maggie!
Love that—happy it’s helping you get into tea!
Paula
This is the ultimate summer drink for how hot it gets in Texas! Love the benefits of the antioxidants in my drink!
Andrea
Hi Paula!
Perfect for hot days—happy you’re enjoying it!
Lisa
What a refreshing and delicious summer recipe. Definitely something I will make again!
Andrea
Hi Lisa!
So glad you liked it—thanks for giving it a try!
Sandra maldonado
May I use green tea bags with pomegranate ?
Andrea
For sure. That sounds good!
Criss
Tried this cooling summer drink and it’s super refreshing! Light, tasty, and packed with good stuff—perfect for hot days when you want something healthy and easy.
Karen
Can any other berries be used? I'm not a fan of blueberries, but was wondering about using blackberries instead??
Andrea
Hi Karen,
If you have access to blackberries, I think it would work. The added sourness of the blackberries might make the drink even better!
Andrea
Andrea
Hi Criss!
Glad you enjoyed it! Perfect choice for hot days.
Leslie
This tea is a delicious way to get your antioxidants!! Loved how easy this was to make as well!
Andrea
Hi Leslie!
Appreciate it! Nice when something so easy is also good for you.
Juyali
I made this tea on a hot afternoon, and it was exactly what I needed—cool, soothing, and so refreshing!
Andrea
Hi Juyali!
Thanks! Happy it worked for you on a hot day.
Nisha
Loved the blueberry lemon green tea, perfect for the weather here and love that it fights inflammation and it tasted really awesome!
Andrea
Hi Nisha!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful too.
Nora
This Blueberry-Lemon Green Tea is the ultimate refreshing summer drink! Light, fruity, and packed with antioxidants—it’s the perfect way to cool down while giving your body a little boost. So simple, so delicious, and exactly what I want on a warm day!
Andrea
Hi Nora!
Thanks! Glad it’s been a great summer drink for you.
Heather
Made today just as called out with the black tea option. Delicious!!!
Andrea
So glad to hear that you enjoyed it.
Marge
How long will this keep refrigerated? I didn’t notice any info about that.
Andrea
Hi Marge,
The sugar and lemon act as natural preservatives, so you should be good for around 7-10 days. Enjoy!
Karey
I’m curious if you can use monk fruit instead of raw sugar as my hubby can’t have sugar.
Andrea
Hi Karey,
You can definitely use a sugar substitute. Let us know how it works!
—Andrea
Mia
Hi there, thanks for the recipe, I looks lovely. This might be a silly question but are the 150 calories per glass or for the whole mix?
Susan Massey
Wondering the same thing. 150 calories per container or 1 serving?
Andrea
Hi Mia and Susan,
That's 150 calories/serving, which is based on 6 servings. BUT, this batch makes a lot of drink. It's more than 8 cups worth (1/2 a gallon). For me, that is more than 6 servings. I usually enjoy about 1/2 a cup at a time. To reduce the calorie count, simply reduce the quantity of sugar used. —Andrea
Norain Lee
Thank you for this brief explanation and very nice information. I am very enjoyed this blog. it's an informative topic.
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Andrea
Hi Norain, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. Summertime is coming!
Divya Sharma
if you’re a person who’s lazy to make all those drinks or cook food to build up the immunity i’ve been using this immunity booster drink. All i have to do is open the bottle and drink up. It’s really affective as well.
Andrea
Hi Divya!
That’s great—easy and works too!