We recently launched some amazing iced tea blends including a tropical, caffeinated tisane called Hibiscus Cooler. Similar to Art of Tea’s caffeine free favorite, Kauai Cocktail, this fruity blend marries sweet and tart flavors with a pinch of citrus from the organic lemongrass, while providing a caffeine lift. Hibiscus Cooler does not contain any tea leaves from the Camellia Sinensis plant but contains caffeine from the organic guayusa. Cousin to Yerba Mate, guayusa is a caffeinated evergreen holly from the Amazon rainforest. Natives believed the plant invigorated the body with energy and renewed focus. Hibiscus Cooler is naturally sweetened with organic stevia leaves, which nicely compliments the tartness of the organic hibiscus.

Here are some fun and easy Hibiscus Cooler recipes to spice up your Independence Day celebrations and upcoming summer soirees. Our new 2 quart iced tea pouches (also available in other iced tea blends) will be used in all the recipes below. These are ideal for smaller batch brewing or 64 oz. serving size.

Cold Brewed Hibiscus Cooler

Recipe yields about 8 servings

You Will Need:

-Takeya’s 66 oz. Iced Tea Pitcher or any 64 oz. pitcher

-One 2 qt. pouch Hibiscus Cooler

-Freshly drawn water

-Sliced fruit of your choice (I used strawberries and blueberries)

Instructions:

Using the cold brew method to make iced tea, toss your 2 qt. pre-measured teabag into your pitcher. Fill the pitcher three quarters of the way to the top. Heighten the flavors by adding strawberries and blueberries in your Takeya infuser. Twist the infuser back onto the cap. If you don’t have an infuser, add the fruit directly into the pitcher. Cover the pitcher and store in the refrigerator for 8 to 10 hours. Remove the teabag and enjoy!

Hibiscus Cape Cod

A traditional Cape Cod is made of vodka and cranberry juice, but this new creation replaces the tart, berry juice with our Hibiscus Cooler.

You Will Need:

-2 oz. Vodka

-4 oz. Hibiscus Cooler

-Lime wedge (optional)

-Shaker

-Ice cubes

-8 oz. Glass

Instructions:

First, prepare your Hibiscus Cooler iced tea using the directions below. Then, measure about 4 ounces of the iced Hibiscus Cooler. Add the vodka, Hibiscus Cooler and ice cubes into a shaker. Rapidly shake for a few seconds and pour into your glass. Garnish the glass rim with a lime wedge. Cheers!

Malibu Hibiscus Bay Breeze

A classic Malibu Bay Breeze infuses rum, cranberry juice and pineapple juice, but this libation substitutes cranberry juice with our Hibiscus Cooler.

You Will Need:

-1 ½ oz. Malibu Rum or any coconut rum

-2 oz. Hibiscus Cooler

-2 oz. Pineapple juice

-Shaker

-Ice cubes

-Martini glass

Instructions:

First, make your Hibiscus Cooler iced tea using the directions below. Once your Hibiscus Cooler is chilled to your heart’s content, measure out 2 ounces. Add the pineapple juice, iced tea and rum into a shaker with ice. Shake well and pour into your favorite martini glass.

How to Make Hibiscus Cooler Iced Tea

You Will Need:

-Takeya’s 66 oz. Iced Tea Pitcher or any 64 oz. pitcher

-One 2 qt. pouch Hibiscus Cooler

-Boiling water

-Freshly drawn water

-Ice cubes

Instructions:

First, remove the infuser from the Takeya pitcher. Toss a 2 qt. Hibiscus Cooler teabag into the pitcher. Pour one third of the way of boiling water into the pitcher. Then, pour two thirds of the way of freshly drawn water into the pitcher. Steep for 4 minutes. Finally, remove the teabag and add ice.

-MELISSA CHUA