I used to drink a lot of soda and even though I tried to find something else, I never had much luck. I really love iced tea but I am not a big fan of fresh brewed tea. It has to have lemon in it. I tried making it at home but it took to many lemons to get the flavor I wanted. Let’s face it, if I have to spend $5 on lemons, it’s not really cost efficient anymore.

One day I went to have lunch with my “Local Mom”, Victoria, and she ordered an Arnold Palmer. Right away I thought it was an alcoholic beverage. When I asked what it was, she said it was half lemonade and half iced tea. I had never heard of this drink before.  I tried it and I loved it! This is what I drink 90% of the time now. It is rare that I order or buy soda anymore. I even discovered a few months ago that Starbucks sells a Tazo® Black Shaken Iced Tea Lemonade that is good too. However, at $3.95 a pop for the Trenta and that “liquid sugar” they pump into it, I had to figure out a way to make these to drink at home.

I can do without sugar in my tea but sometimes I do need a little to help the taste. I know it’s just me but sometimes it seems to have more of that “fresh tea” taste than others. Yea, yea.. I know…. You can take or leave the sugar listed below depending on how you like your tea. Add more, add less, add none! I found that 1/4 c is just right for me personally. In a gallon of iced tea, that really isn’t a lot considering how much is in a bottle of soda. Even the little packets of Kool-Aid call for a cup per 2 quarts!

When I say these are inexpensive, I mean it is way cheaper than soda! That store that I refuse to admit that I sometimes go to, that starts with a “W”, sells Lipton Cold Brew Pitcher Size Tea Bags in a 22 count for around $3. This makes 5.5 gallons, Kool-Aid mix is about $.10, water is free and the sugar I can’t even calculate. Well, I can but I just really don’t want to do the math at this hour of the night. So a gallon pitcher of these costs, less than $.75.

Ingredients:

• 1 gallon of water
• 4 Lipton Cold Brew Tea Bags
• 1 packet of Kool-Aid Lemonade (Store brand works the same!)
• 1/4 c of sugar

Brew your tea as instructed on the package, add the lemonade mix, stir, add the sugar, stir, chill/add ice and drink!

Disclosure: This is a personal post because I just felt like doing one. Not because I was asked to, paid to or given anything. That is still allowed right?

For all the coffee addicts out there, yes you, the last thing you want on a hot summer day is a cup of hot coffee. Now the exception to that rule was my amazing Dad. He loved his coffee! Even when it was 100 degrees outside, that man would poo a cup ot hot steamy coffee. I really don’t know how he could stand it but he did!

For those of us who want something cold and refreshing, but still get our coffee fix in, how about a nice Iced Coffee? I wanted to share some tips and tricks from Gevalia to help chill out and perk up your coffee this summer (and I’m not just talking brewing coffee and adding ice!) With the summer weather here and iced coffee actually costing more than hot coffee at coffee shops, (I don’t get it) here are some ways that you can create your own delicious ice coffee for a fraction of the cost!

1.       Brew the Perfect Gevalia Iced Coffee: Start with 12 slightly rounded Tbsp. of premium blend coffee, like Gevalia, a coffee with a rich Swedish heritage now available is U.S. coffee aisles, and fill to the coffee maker to the 8 cup level.  Brew, refrigerate and serve over ice. The bestGevalia roasts to use when making iced coffee are House Blend, French Roast and Espresso Roast. (images available)

2.       How to Sweeten Iced Coffee: Simple syrup!  Mix ½ cup sugar and ½ cup water in a small saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Refrigerate in a tightly covered container for up to one week.

3.       Cold Coffee Recipes: Tickle your taste buds by whipping up a delicious iced coffee recipe like a Lemon-Ginger Iced Coffee or a Whipaccino.  Click here for these recipes and more.

4.       How to Avoid Watery Iced Coffee: Make coffee ice cubes.  Pour chilled coffee into ice cube trays. Freeze and use in place of regular ice cubes. For extra flavor, use frozen raspberries, too!

5.       Add Summery Flavors: Vanilla, orange, coconut and more – your favorite flavor extract (¼ tsp per serving) will dissolve quickly in hot coffee. After brewing, refrigerate, stir and serve over ice.

What sets Gevalia apart from other premium coffees?

• For more than 150 years, the Swedes have been perfecting Gevalia coffee. Gevalia roasts its beans with care and the result is an exceptional taste, cup after cup. 
• In Sweden, where the citizens drink more coffee than almost anywhere else in the world, Gevalia is their preferred brand.
• Previously available online only, Gevalia is available in select stores in 10 premium varieties:

Choose one of your favorites! Traditional Roast, Traditional Roast Whole Bean, House Blend, House Blend Decaf, French Roast, French Roast Whole Bean, Colombia, Espresso Roast, Vanilla and Chocolate Mocha.

Disclosure: MAK Media, LLC wrote this post on behalf of Kraft and was compensated in some form. The opinions, ideas and stories expressed are my own whether positive or negative. This post is not endorsed, sponsored or has any connection to Twitter, Facebook or any other Social Media network that may be mentioned. This post is the sole property of MAK Media, LLC.  Please read more on our Disclosure Policy.

THIS RECIPE HAS BEEN MOVED. YOU CAN VIEW IT BY CLICKING THE LINK BELOW.

Recipe: Creamy Egg Rum Punch