Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Southern Boy Teas
Tea Description:
Created for National Iced Tea Day 2013! Our take on Pink lemonade incorporates the organic flavors of lemon, red grapefruit, a touch of raspberry and a smidgen of cotton candy for sweetness. blended with our premium organic black tea, this is pure refreshment.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
When I got this Pink Lemonade Flavored Black Iced Tea of the Southern Boys Teas collection from 52Teas, I thought it was an herbal tisane. That is … until I opened the pouch and smelled the tea and I realized that there was black tea in it. What I expected when I first ordered the tea was a “pinked” version of the Lemon-Aid tisane from 52Teas. But that isn’t what this is at all.
However, this is really very good! It is a very refreshing iced tea. The black tea base is brisk and is pleasantly flavored … it melds nicely with the notes of lemon and raspberry. The grapefruit comes through as I reach the mid-way point through my glass … that’s when I really notice it. It is nicely sweet – and yes, I do taste hints of the cotton candy too. It’s an interesting combination of flavors that come together in a really delicious way. It is sweet, a little bit tart, and very tasty!
The first time I tried this … I cold-brewed it. And of the many iced tea flavors that 52Teas sells under the Southern Boy Teas brand, this is the one tea that I don’t recommend cold brewing. The flavors just don’t come across as well or as deliciously when it’s been cold brewed – it kind of tastes “muddied” … not like mud, of course, but, the flavors aren’t crisp. The flavors are there, but, they aren’t as easily discerned as they are when the tea is hot brewed.
But … when hot brewed, this tea tastes really, really good. In fact, it may just displace the Lime Cola as my favorite iced tea flavor this year. This tea gets two enthusiastic thumbs up from me (although it does lose a couple of points because I like cold-brewing!)
Strawberry Lemonade from iHeartTeas
Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Rooibos & Herbal/Fruit Tisane
Where to Buy: iHeartTeas
Tisane Description:
A perfect summer treat without all the sugar. A slightly sweet and tart blend. Wonderful hot or cold. Add a touch of raw sugar or honey for the perfectly balanced cup.
Learn more about this tisane here.
Taster’s Review:
I received this as a free sample with my recent order from iHeartTeas. I just love it when companies give free samples with orders – it’s like a little gift and a really nice way to make me as a consumer feel special. And Rachel from iHeartTeas is really so very nice, it’s like receiving a gift from a friend, which makes it extra special.
My usual steeping parameters for rooibos blends is to steep for 10 minutes, but because this blend also contained hibiscus, I cut that time in half … and I’m glad I did. At five minutes steeping time, the liquor developed a very deep red color from the hibiscus, but none of the syrupy texture of it.
It also picked up quite a bit of the hibiscus tartness, though, and I did find this tisane to be quite tart. But I guess it should be, right? It’s Strawberry LEMONADE, after all. Lemonade is supposed to be tart.
But even though it is tart, the sweetness of the strawberry comes through quite nicely. I even taste a bit of the berry tartness which may be from the strawberry but may also be the hibiscus as it often takes on a berry-like quality when it’s infused.
The apple in this blend is only slightly distinguishable, but really, what it adds is primarily a sense of sweetness, along with the strawberry. The rooibos are not discernible. The strawberry is delicious, the lemon is quite tart, a little bit puckery tart. I would rather there was no hibiscus, but it does give the tisane the aforementioned pretty, ruby red color.
Overall, a pleasant blend. Not my favorite tisane, but certainly not something I’d turn down if offered. I enjoyed it, and it made for a very relaxing cuppa later in the evening.
Pink Rose Lemonade from The Tea Spot
Tisane Information:
Leaf Type: Herbal Tisane
Where to Buy: The Tea Spot – be sure to check out the coupon code featured just after this review for a limited time offer on this tea!
Tea Description:
Pink Rose Lemonade is a swirling collage of flowers with a hint of lemon and wintergreen. Like a fancy floral confection, this delicately handcrafted tea will refresh and soothe your palate. Pink Rose Lemonade is totally guilt-free, as it has no caffeine and is naturally sweet. Lemon, rose, mint, chamomile, and lavender spring to life in this absolutely fabulous herbal tea. Pink Rose Lemonade tastes distinctively wonderful brewed hot or cold.
Learn more about this caffeine free tisane here.
Taster’s Review:
Along with my Steep & Go, I received three samples of teas that go well using this cold-brew device: Boulder Blues, Climber’s High, and this tisane. Of those three, this one is my favorite to use in the Steep & Go. This was really surprising to me, because, I tend to avoid chamomile blends. I don’t dislike chamomile, but I don’t really like it either. However, the combination of ingredients in this herbal tisane works together so well, especially when cold-brewed in the Steep & Go.
It’s also quite good when hot-brewed and served warm just before bedtime. I especially like the aroma of the hot-brewed tisane. It smells so beautiful – I can smell the rose and the lavender and the combination of the two flowers is absolutely enchanting.
And it tastes pleasant too! The lavender and chamomile are very relaxing, and I find it tremendously soothing especially after a busy day. The flavors are sweet and lemony, with a foreground of floral notes and a background note of mint. The mint is not nearly as strong as I thought it might be, as mint tends to be a rather aggressive herb. Here, it takes the back seat and allows the other flavors to express themselves in a tasty and calming way.
But as I mentioned above, I really prefer this tea when cold-brewed using the Steep & Go. I recommend allowing this to steep at least ten minutes, but it really gets good the longer you let it steep. I found that after about a half an hour, the flavor was just perfect: light and thirst-quenching. I found that the bright, lemony notes were very refreshing, the hint of mint brought a cool, crispness to the taste and the floral tones added a pleasing contrast. It was pleasantly sweet without sweetener – this is the perfect on-the-go beverage.
To be honest, when The Tea Spot sent me this tea to try with the Steep & Go, I had my doubts… I guess I come from the school of thought that believes that the best flavor can be achieved through hot brewing a tea … but I am coming around to the whole idea of cold-brew after trying this tisane cold-brewed! This one made a believer out of me!
Special, Limited-Time Offer: Now through October 14, you can save 15% on your purchase of this Pink Rose Lemonade from the Tea Spot! Just put the Pink Rose Lemonade in your shopping cart, and use the coupon code sororitearose at checkout, and enjoy your savings … and the tea!
PRODUCT REVIEW: Marley’s Mellow Mood Lite – Half Lemonade/Half Tea from Marley Beverages
Product Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Marley Beverages
About Marley’s Mellow Mood:
Marley’s Mellow Mood is a new line of 100% natural relaxation beverages created in partnership with the family of legendary musical prophet, Bob Marley.
Learn more about this product here.
Taster’s Review:
I was a little hesitant to try this one, mostly because when I see the word “lite” on a beverage, I worry that it contains aspartame to which I’m allergic. Having suffered one too many reactions because of this artificial sweetener, I tend to avoid “lite” products all together.
So, I read the ingredients:
water, sugar, erythritol, pear juice concentrate, lemon juice concentrate, black tea, sodium citrate, reb A (stevia leaf extract), natural flavor.
No aspartame. But what was this erythritol? It is a sugar alcohol which is safe … at least, safer for me to consume than aspartame. So, I waited until late evening (as it does say it can make you drowsy), and opened the bottle and started sipping.
The pros: This is pretty tasty. The first few sips had a sort of artificial sweetener sweetness to it, and I suspect that this is the stevia. However, once the other flavors started to emerge, I didn’t taste that funky sweetness anymore, and just enjoyed a very pleasant combination of sweet-tart lemonade and black tea.
The Cons: Because the black tea is sharing center-stage with the lemonade, it is a less distinct (although still quite distinguishable) flavor. And it is sweet. A bit sweeter than I usually would want my iced tea to be.
Overall: I am enjoying it, even though it’s a bit on the sweet side and even though the tea is not as prominent as I’d like it to be. And… the mellow part works. I’m already starting to feel drowsy, and before opening the bottle I probably would have been awake for at least a couple more hours.
So, even with the drawbacks of this beverage, I’d still give it two thumbs up because it does deliver what it promises, which is a mellow mood!
Lemonade from Shanti Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green Rooibos
Where to Buy: Shanti Tea
Tisane Description:
Origin: South Africa
Certification: Organic
Ingredients: Green Rooibos, Lemon Peel, Lemon Myrtle, Calendula, Natural Essences
Naturally Caffeine-Free Herbal Tea
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I’ve tried a few different “lemonade” teas and tisanes over the last couple of years. Some are stronger in lemon-y flavor than others. This tisane started out rather subtle, but, as I continue to sip, the flavors have gotten more intense. I like the way the flavors develop, getting the palate ready for the tart and tangy notes that are about to come.
I know I’ve mentioned this before, but I prefer green rooibos over red rooibos. The green rooibos has a lighter, fresher, fruitier taste to it than the sweet, woody and nutty flavor of the red rooibos. Here, the green rooibos provides a pleasant fruity flavor and a hint of sweetness to the cup without overwhelming the cup with other flavors that distract from the lemony taste of this tisane.
The lemon myrtle and lemon peel add a sweet, slightly tangy lemon flavor without tasting too tart. The tartness of this cup is most obvious in the aftertaste, where that tingly tangy taste lingers on the palate, as if I had just taken a sip of … well, of lemonade!
Overall, I’m finding this tisane to be bright, sunny lemon flavor that is sweet-tart and really enjoyable. It is deliciously soothing served hot (and makes a great sore throat remedy too!) but it is even better served chilled … I think I’m going to stock up on this one as the weather turns warmer! It’s something that my entire family (even those who don’t like tea!) will love.