One of my favorite memories from my younger years with my dad was going out to run errands with him and stopping for A&W rootbeer floats on our way home. My family was BUSY– with three overachieving daughters and a packed schedule not much about my youth was spent not doing-doing-doing something, but these sweet little moments with my dad will always be carved out in my memory as such a treasure.
Pulling the car up to the radio, getting our drinks delivered on roller skates, sipping that ice-cold frothy foam off the top before getting to the creamy carbonation below– I remember it all like it was yesterday. (And now I totally want a rootbeer float, you guys.)
Lucky for me, when I found this sample sitting in my pile, I knew exactly how I wanted to use it– by recreating a healthier, tea-inspired dupe of my childhood fave! I’m sure this tea would be delicious brewed hot, but I knew that with only one tablespoon of tea to play around with, I had to test it out as an iced tea pop.
If tea pops are new to you, it’s essentially a strongly-brewed iced tea topped with sparkling water for a soda-esque drink. I steeped my tea overnight by cold brewing in the fridge– about a tablespoon to a cup of water.
After straining the next morning, I added about a cup and a half of fresh sparkling water, topped with a few ice cubes, and YUM– you guys– this was a perfect dupe of my old favorite. The rooibos base flavors were there, but they melded beautifully with the sasparilla and other flavors to perfectly mimic a sweet & creamy rootbeer float. My sample didn’t come with any mini marshmallows as advertised, but maybe that’s for the best with an iced brew– and it still was delightfully creamy and sweet.
A definite winner– and a nostalgic treat that I’ll be making for myself again and again this summer (and maybe my dad as well)!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: The NecessiTeas
Description
This blend will take you back to your childhood days, sitting on the porch, sippin’ on those old fashioned root beer floats. Add a touch of sugar and splash of milk and you will swear you were drinking the real thing! Perfect hot or poured over ice and naturally caffeine free!
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Roasted Chesnut Rooibos from Simpson & Vail. . . .
If tea were the dating world, rooibos tea would be the Nice Guy. You know: the fellow in the Friend Zone.
The Bad Guy (black tea) rides a motorcycle, neglects your feelings, keeps you up all night, and has cryptic moods.
The Nice Guy (rooibos) is friends with your mom, can balance a budget, and understands the nuances of nutrition and sleep.
You don’t take the Nice Guy seriously, but he’s important. He will be your evening companion when you need one. You can call upon him at any time. He is sweet and smooth, and one day you realize, maybe you SHOULD take him seriously. He could be a major player in your life!
My first thought when trying Roasted Chestnut Rooibos was “this is like a brown tweed jacket.” It’s sturdy and solid. There’s a classic reliability to it. The nutty and earthy flavors contribute to this impression. There’s also a slight sweetness here, a creaminess. I’m not sure if it’s the innate gentle red rooibos or this blend, but this is a yummy mix.
A mix for evening before bed.
Or any time, really. Rooibos will be there, waiting for you.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Simpson and Vail
Description
Usher in the holiday season with this joyous brew. If you like chestnuts roasted on an open fire you’ll love this caffeine free tisane! The dry leaf has the aroma of nutty, heavenly goodness and the brewed cup explodes with this flavor followed by a light buttery taste. So curl up by a fire with this delicious cup while you read your favorite book and listen to holiday songs. We dare you to try not to sing “that” song!
Ingredients: Red Rooibos, orange blossoms and flavoring.
Brew tea at 212º – steep for 5 minutes.
Caffeine free. Certified Kosher
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Passion Peach Tea from Teavery. . . . .
This tea managed to work its way into the bottom of my tin, lying in wait until the perfect moment. Today was such a moment. I’ve been vaguely dizzy and tired all day (I think my medication levels might be wonky) and drank this with lunch, iced.
Boom. Back on point. Full precision. This is my sipping companion in its Giant 30 Oz Water Bottle of Super Hydration and Daylong Peeing. I am very awake and able to concentrate again. My typing is loud. I am a laser-beam of focus.
This blend is a zippy peach black with saucy berry and zesty citrus notes. There’s something about it that sticks in the mouth even after you’ve swallowed. Something sweet. I think it’s the rose hips or passionfruit. Oh, and the black tea. There’s a lot of caffeine in this. It may give you a heart attack. But you’ll love it.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black/Rooibos
Where to Buy: Teavery
Description
Ingredients: Organic Black Tea, Organic Rooibos, Organic Elderberry, Organic Orange Peel, Organic Rose Hips, Organic Calendula, Natural Peach, Orange and Passion Fruit Flavor. Steeping: Add 1 teaspoon to 1 cup of tea at 212 degrees. Steep for three to five minutes. Cold: After steeping let tea sit at room temperature for 30 minutes then add to fridge or add ice No hot water? Add tea to room temperature water and add to fridge for 6-8 hours for a cold brewed tea.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Chai Sansibar Rooibos from Aromatica Fine Teas. . . . .
Chai Sansibar Rooibos sounds like it came from a far away land, doesn’t it? Chai Sansibar Rooibos from Aromatica Fine Teas is a chai flavored red rooibos tisane.
It’s described on the company’s website as a delightful vanilla rooibos chai. They also mention that its an outstanding alternative when brewed in apple juice or cranberry juice. Now THIS I might have to try in the near future! But first straight-up, stand-alone, as-is, by itself!
Less is more with the ingredients in this one as it only contains Rooibos, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, red pepper, bruised peppercorns, vanilla. As you can see many of your stereotypical chai spices but paired with a naturally caffeine-free red rooibos base making it ideal for evenings!
I would say that the red rooibos is the primary flavor in this one then you can taste the mishmash of spices followed by the sweet, smooth, and creamy vanilla. Overall I did like this chai alternative but it wouldn’t have been the same if it was missing the vanilla. It’s what seemed to make it all come full circle! YUM!
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Rooibos
Where to Buy: Aromatica Fine Teas
Description
A delightful vanilla rooibos chai. Outstanding alternative when brewed in apple juice or cranberry juice. Rooibos, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, red pepper, bruised peppercorns, vanilla.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!
Lively Rose Blend from Plum Deluxe. . . . . .
As the days get shorter and the dark stretches longer, unsurprisingly I’ve been looking for comfort. For me, that looks like the typical things– a warm bath, a cozy blanket, a cup of tea (duh. :)), a burning candle, twinkle lights, good food, my favorite book, and the list goes on and on.
A few years ago, I learned that this innate need for coziness and comfort that always pokes its head out during this time of year has a name! And an entire nation of people who are experts at practicing it! Who knew? This Danish concept, hygge, is the idea that when it gets darker and colder, rather than feel despair, we need to treat ourselves extra kindly, do extra-good for ourselves and others, and really take impeccable care of ourselves.
This tea, (a delightful blend of black tea, rooibos, rose and almond) has become my new favorite for sipping when I’m channeling my own inner hygge these past few weeks. A collaboration between one of my favorite podcasters, Jess Lively, and one of my favorite tea companies, Plum Deluxe, this tea perfectly touches on light, delicate flavors while still remaining a balanced blend of hearty black and rooibos tea.
Which, let’s talk about that for a second– I think black/rooibos blends are quickly becoming a new favorite of mine. The nutty earthiness of rooibos in this blend in particular is a match made in heaven for the black tea base. No astringency or acidity present, just a hearty-but-delicate, floral-but-nutty hug in a cup. I’ve found this one pairs equally well with quiet mornings reading under a blanket in the sunlight as it does with afternoon self-care pick-me-ups.
As a latte, the rose and almond really shine, but even brewed straight with a dash of coconut milk, it’s exactly the kind of embodiment of cozy hygge that I’ve been looking for this season.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Black/Rooibos
Where to Buy: Plum Deluxe
Description
This tea is no longer available but click below to see what black teas are.
Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!