Cold herbal teas: the best recipes for healthy and refreshing summer drinks

Fragrant, refreshing and naturally rich in flavour, cold herbal teas can be prepared with fruit and vegetables, medicinal herbs, flowers and spices, offering a healthy alternative to sugary drinks, enriched with beneficial properties.

Cold herbal teas are increasingly becoming part of the habits of those looking for healthy and natural alternatives to carbonated and sugary beverages, thanks to their versatility and the possibility of being prepared with simple, easily available ingredients, sometimes even from your own garden. Mint, lemon balm, ginger, chamomile, hibiscus, citrus fruits and berries are just some of the ingredients that can create original combinations, capable of combining taste and wellbeing in a single glass.

The cold preparation method also makes it possible to obtain a drink with a more delicate and harmonious flavour. Unlike traditional infusion, which uses hot water to quickly extract the aromas of the fruits and medicinal herbs used, cold herbal tea is left to rest slowly in fresh water for several hours. This process allows the ingredients to gradually release their aromatic notes, creating a balanced result that is less intense and particularly pleasant to sip during warmer days.

In addition to being delicious and visually appealing, cold infusions also fit perfectly into a lifestyle focused on wellbeing. Drinking regularly throughout the day is essential to maintaining the body’s correct fluid balance, and choosing a flavoured beverage can make this habit even more enjoyable. Furthermore, depending on the ingredients used, each infusion has specific properties: some combinations are appreciated for their freshness, others for their ability to promote relaxation, and others still for their benefits on the digestive system and the elimination of excess fluids.

Cold herbal tea: which are the best ingredients to use?

Cold herbal teas can be prepared with a wide variety of ingredients, each capable of adding different aromas, colours and flavour nuances. Medicinal herbs, flowers, roots, spices, fruit and vegetables can be combined to create balanced infusions, suitable for every moment of the day and for different wellbeing needs.

In this context, the choice of raw materials is essential: using high-quality ingredients, preferably organic and carefully washed, makes it possible to obtain an even tastier beverage, rich in beneficial properties.

Mint: freshness and digestion

Among the stars of summer, mint is one of the most widely used aromatic herbs in the preparation of cold herbal teas. Its intense fragrance and balsamic flavour immediately provide a sensation of freshness, making it ideal for the hottest days. It is also often used to support digestion and relieve the feeling of heaviness after meals.

For this reason, it is frequently included in digestive blends together with fennel, anise or ginger. It also pairs very well with citrus fruits, cucumber and summer fruits such as watermelon, peach and apricots, creating colourful cold infusions with a lively flavour. The advice is to favour freshly picked leaves, quickly rinsed under cold water.

Chamomile and lemon balm: relaxation

Chamomile and lemon balm are among the most appreciated medicinal plants for preparing herbal teas dedicated to relaxation. The dried chamomile flower heads, traditionally used in infusions, release a delicate floral aroma and are known for their soothing properties. Lemon balm, used both dried and fresh, stands out for its slightly citrusy fragrance and is traditionally used to promote relaxation and contribute to mental wellbeing.

Together they create a herbal tea with a soft, harmonious and naturally fragrant flavour, perfect to enjoy cold even on summer evenings. To make it even more refreshing and aromatic, ingredients such as fresh mint leaves, organic orange or lemon peel, a few slices of peach or apple can be added, or the blend can be completed with linden flowers or a small amount of dried edible lavender flowers. If a sweeter note is desired, it is preferable to add a teaspoon of honey only after preparing the infusion.

Hibiscus: the flower that symbolises summer herbal teas

Hibiscus is one of the most widely used flowers in the preparation of cold infusions: the dried calyces of the plant, extremely rich in valuable antioxidants, release their characteristic ruby-red colour during infusion, together with a pleasantly tangy, fresh and slightly fruity flavour, to be served with a few ice cubes.

To enhance its aromatic profile, the flowers can be combined with fresh ingredients such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, pomegranate, orange or grapefruit slices, or with fresh mint leaves for an even more refreshing note. Among dried ingredients, they pair particularly well with rosehip, rose petals, verbena and dried citrus peels, creating balanced, fragrant blends with a lively character.

Lavender: fragrance and delicacy

With its unmistakable aroma, lavender is one of the most appreciated medicinal flowers in the preparation of herbal teas dedicated to relaxation. Used in moderation, it provides a refined floral note that pairs perfectly with chamomile, lemon balm, verbena and honey. In addition to making the infusion particularly fragrant, lavender is traditionally associated with moments of calm and wellbeing, transforming every break into a true sensory experience.

Fennel: purifying and digestive

Fennel is one of the best-known and most widely used ingredients in the preparation of herbal teas, especially those dedicated to digestive wellbeing. For cold infusions, the plant’s dried seeds are mainly used, as they release a delicate, sweet aroma during preparation, slightly reminiscent of anise, but it is also possible to add thin slices of fresh fennel, ideal for giving the drink a greener and crunchier note.

Traditionally appreciated for its digestive properties, this vegetable is often chosen precisely to promote a pleasant feeling of lightness after meals and to counteract the sensation of bloating. Its mild flavour also makes it an extremely versatile ingredient, capable of harmonising with aromatic herbs, spices and fruit.

For example, it pairs particularly well with fresh ingredients such as mint, lemon, orange, green apple, peach and fresh ginger, which enhance its freshness without covering its delicate flavour. Among dried ingredients, it combines well with star anise, chamomile, lemon balm and verbena.

Melon: sweetness and freshness for a summer cold herbal tea

Perfect for those who love sweet and refreshing infusions, thanks to its natural sugar content, melon pairs particularly well with ingredients such as fresh mint, which enhances its freshness, lemon and lime, which add a livelier citrus note, or fresh ginger, for a slightly spicy contrast. It is also excellent combined with other summer fruits, such as peach, strawberries and pineapple, creating drinks that are perfect to enjoy during the hottest days.

Cold infusion recipes to try

One of the most interesting characteristics of cold herbal teas is the possibility of customising each preparation according to personal tastes and the time of day. The simplest method consists of leaving the ingredients to infuse in cold water for at least 6–8 hours in the refrigerator, allowing herbs, flowers and fruit to slowly release their aromas and fragrances.

When using fresh ingredients such as strawberries, peaches, melon, citrus fruits, mint or ginger, these can be left directly in the water and consumed together with the drink, provided they have been thoroughly washed and the herbal tea is stored in the refrigerator. The fruit, in addition to enriching the flavour of the infusion, thus also becomes a pleasant element to enjoy at the end of the preparation.

Just before serving the drink, a few ice cubes can also be added for an even more refreshing effect. It is recommended to consume the infusion within the same day or store it in the refrigerator for a maximum of 24 hours.

Here are some recipes for tasty and functional cold infusions, suitable for different needs.

Digestive cold herbal tea

Perfect after a hearty lunch or a summer dinner, this blend combines ingredients with fresh and spicy flavours.

Ingredients

• fennel seeds
• fresh mint
• ginger
• lemon peel

The result is a light, aromatic and pleasantly refreshing drink, ideal to enjoy well chilled.

Relaxing cold herbal tea

To enjoy a moment of tranquillity, this preparation combines delicate floral and citrus notes.

Ingredients

• chamomile
• lemon balm
• edible lavender
• orange peel

Once ready, it can be served with a few ice cubes and a teaspoon of honey, if a sweeter note is desired.

Antioxidant cold herbal tea

Colourful and rich in aromas, it is one of the most popular recipes during the summer season.

Ingredients

• hibiscus
• rosehip
• berries
• orange slices

Its intense red colour and slightly tangy flavour make it perfect also as a drink to serve during brunches or alcohol-free aperitifs.

Detox cold herbal tea

A fresh and aromatic blend designed to accompany a balanced lifestyle.

Ingredients

• cucumber
• mint
• lemon
• ginger
• verbena

The flavour is delicate, extremely refreshing and ideal on warmer days.

Floral cold herbal tea

An elegant and fragrant recipe that enhances the delicate flavour of medicinal flowers.

Ingredients

• linden flowers
• lavender
• chamomile
• edible rose petals
• bergamot peel

With an intense yet harmonious fragrance, this herbal tea is perfect for accompanying a moment of relaxation in the garden, an afternoon break or a summer after-dinner moment, transforming every sip into an authentic sensory experience.

Forte Village Tea Room, cold herbal teas (and much more) just steps away from Sardinia’s most beautiful beaches

Cold herbal teas represent a simple and natural way to rediscover the pleasure of small daily breaks: an invitation to slow down, remain in the present moment and reconnect with oneself. This attention to wellbeing, understood in a holistic way, can also be found in the philosophy of Forte Village, one of the most renowned resorts in the Mediterranean, where hospitality, gastronomy and personal care come together in an exclusive setting just a few steps from some of the most beautiful beaches in Sardinia.

It is precisely in this context that the Forte Village Tea Room is located, a space designed for those who wish to enjoy a moment of tranquillity and savour the pleasure of a fresh, healthy and light beverage, thanks to a selection of offerings capable of accompanying guests throughout different moments of the day, including various types of cold herbal teas. The tea room is located inside the Acquaforte Thalasso & Spa, internationally renowned for its thalassotherapy programmes and its wide range of holistic treatments designed to promote the wellbeing of body and mind.

In addition to the Tea Room, Forte Village offers a wide range of bars and Michelin-starred restaurants, designed to satisfy the tastes of the whole family. Among the most beloved restaurants are Belvedere by Giuseppe Molaro, the “Casa del Custode”, with its menu inspired by Mediterranean flavours, where fresh, seasonal and top-quality ingredients take centre stage, and the “Mordi Storie di Frutta” bar, where guests can enjoy a boost of vitamins and minerals with colourful juices and freshly prepared extracts.

For further information about the gastronomic offering of Forte Village Resort or to request a reservation, please contact the number +39 0709218818, or send an email to holiday@fortevillage.com.

Would you like to discover the benefits of herbal teas and enjoy a dream holiday in a true paradise? Discover Forte Village Resort in Sardinia