Snow Chrysanthemums & Honey Suckle Iced “Tea”

by Kiran on July 12, 2013 · 102 comments

in Beverages, Teas

Today, I’m keeping it short and simple.

Why, you ask?

Because it’s Friday and let’s cheers to that 🙂

This is not exactly a recipe, but I thought of doing something different today — and that is sharing my food memories with you, which includes natural floral infused “teas”.

This is not “tea” per say. The only similarity is the steeping technique to extract and infuse flavors into what we know as plain ‘ol boring water.

And the best part? Not only this is decaf, its usually a crowd pleaser with colorful petals floating around.

Pretty food and drinks are a must on my list. Oh so vain.

Snow Chrysanthemums & Honey Suckle Iced Tea | KiranTarun.com/Food

I grew up in Malaysia where long hot and humid days requires a huge amount of water intake. Every now and then, Mom would steep different floral, fruits and citrus water for us. In fact, even barley water was on the menu. It’s known to have a “cooling” effect to the body.

Flavored water definitely encourages a lot more daily water intake, which makes it the perfect summer thirst quencher.

Snow Chrysanthemums & Honey Suckle Iced Tea | KiranTarun.com/Food

Print This Recipe Print This Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 4 heaping tablespoons (or 4 teabags) of favorite loose floral “tea”
  • 8 cups of hot water
  • 1 whole lemon, thinly sliced
  • ice cubes

Directions:

  1. In a huge pitcher, add loose floral tea and hot water. Allow to steep and bring to room temperature, before adding sliced lemon.
  2. Refrigerate until cool.
  3. To serve, add some ice cubes into tall glasses and top it with chilled “tea”.
  4. Garnish (optional): slices of lemon.

 

Snow Chrysanthemums & Honey Suckle Iced Tea | KiranTarun.com/Food

You can source floral “teas” from your local Oriental/Asian supermarket or online. It usually comes in variety of combinations and dried — which lengthens the shelf life. There’s a slew of options to pick from. Go for the usual suspects. And if you are adventures, try roses and different blooms that tickles your taste-buds.

Go for the ones that are organic that ensures its pesticide (chemical) free. Unless, you don’t care. For that matter, I’m not here to judge you 😉

Snow Chrysanthemums & Honey Suckle Iced Tea | KiranTarun.com/Food

Can’t wait to make my next batch of favorite floral water: chrysanthemums & basil seeds or cool barley with basil. Oh my yum!

Have you tried floral flavored water before? How about barley water?

 

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Comments on this entry are closed.

1 Rosa July 12, 2013 at 10:15 AM

Such pretta flowers! A very refreshing iced tea. I’m sure it tastes heavenly.

Cheers,

Rosa

2 Kiran July 16, 2013 at 5:50 PM

Rosa — thank you so much. it’s so refreshing and perfect summer sip 🙂

3 Sanjeeta kk July 12, 2013 at 10:19 AM

I never get tiered of pinning your recipes…just love..love..love the shots here! Oh, and the recipe…being a tea lover..am completely blown away….:)
Sanjeeta kk recently posted..Recipes | Three Healthy Indian Curries with Pumpkin and The Gardening Obsession

4 Kiran July 16, 2013 at 5:56 PM

Sanjeeta — thank you so so much my dear friend. you support means the world to me 🙂 xo

5 Helene D'souza July 12, 2013 at 10:42 AM

hmm I have no clue why I hadn’t done that before. I like hot orange flour tea, in fact I am addicted to the flavor and smell anyway and I still have some dried flours left so I could make that (if that counts). You inspired me with your gorgeous chrysanthemums iced tea! =)
Helene D’souza recently posted..Beef Chili Fry the Goan way

6 Kiran July 16, 2013 at 5:57 PM

Helene — thanks my dear. dried floral tea makes for great tea experience 🙂

7 pavithra July 12, 2013 at 11:49 AM

Gorgeous pictures and delicious tea !!! Loving it Kiran.

8 Kiran July 16, 2013 at 5:58 PM

Pavithra — thank you so much 🙂

9 dixya| food, pleasure, and health July 12, 2013 at 11:56 AM

this is such a neat drink. i have never tried anything but really interested now.
dixya| food, pleasure, and health recently posted..Virtual Coffee Date

10 Kiran July 16, 2013 at 5:59 PM

Dixya — i grew up drinking a variety of dried floral, herbal and varied medicinal teas. it’s so pretty too 🙂

11 Charul @ Tadka Masala July 12, 2013 at 12:12 PM

Oh what lovely pics. I have never tried or heard floral teas but have heard about barley water. Your pics are tempting me to try now. And, I love the glass in the second pic. Beauty!
Charul @ Tadka Masala recently posted..Butter and Garlic Noodles

12 Kiran July 16, 2013 at 6:00 PM

Charul — thank you and I hope you get to enjoy some soon 🙂

13 Kathryn July 12, 2013 at 12:30 PM

What a lovely idea and such beautiful pictures too.
Kathryn recently posted..raspberry and almond clafoutis

14 Kiran July 16, 2013 at 6:01 PM

Kathryn — thanks friend 🙂

15 Shema George July 12, 2013 at 12:41 PM

Such gorgeous pictures – I seriously cant take my eyes off that ice tea – looks too good!
Shema George recently posted..Lemon Blueberry Oatmeal Bread

16 Kiran July 16, 2013 at 6:01 PM

Shema — awww, thank you so so much!!

17 Ash- foodfashionparty@blogspot.com July 12, 2013 at 1:24 PM

Let’s say cheers with tea and beautiful flowers.
Ash- foodfashionparty@blogspot.com recently posted..BEET TOMATO PASTA WITH PEAS MASALA

18 Kiran July 16, 2013 at 6:07 PM

Ash — cheers!!

19 Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking July 12, 2013 at 3:49 PM

It’s essential, especially here in the South, to have an easy, go-to cold tea recipe. This looks perfect, Kiran! Give me a handful of ice and lemon wedges, and I can sit on the porch with this for hours!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking recently posted..Best-Ever Creamy Macaroni Salad

20 Kiran July 16, 2013 at 6:09 PM

Georgia — me too! perfect thirst quencher 🙂

21 Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ July 12, 2013 at 4:59 PM

It is so much better to keep ourselves hydrated with refreshing drinks such this one – natural and genuine – instead of consuming soda and cans full of added sugars and preservatives. I really “appreciate” this infuse for this reason. Also, it’s almost fashionable!
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ recently posted..Blue is Greece

22 Kiran July 16, 2013 at 6:15 PM

Daniela — love drinking infused or naturally flavored water during summer. soda just doesn’t quench thirst very well. and as you said, it’s no good 🙂

23 sowmya July 12, 2013 at 5:46 PM

Beautiful flowers and refreshing iced tea. Very nice pics kiran .. I love the way u experiment with different variety of flavors in ur recipes.

24 Kiran July 16, 2013 at 6:16 PM

Sowmya — thank you so much! i love sharing my recipes and discoveries along the way 🙂

25 Viviane Bauquet Farre July 12, 2013 at 7:30 PM

Kiran! Short and simple is perfect, especially if you’re sipping this iced “tea”! Beautiful photos and recipe… Happy Friday!
Viviane Bauquet Farre recently posted..Corn tarts with smoked Gruyère, cherry tomatoes and chives

26 Kiran July 16, 2013 at 6:18 PM

Viviane — haha, so true! thanks and hope you had a great weekend, friend 🙂

27 Anne ~ Uni Homemaker July 12, 2013 at 7:45 PM

Only you can make a tea recipe this pretty! I love Chrysanthemum tea. I usually have them hot at a dim sum restaurant. Love the iced version and it looks super refreshing for the summer. 🙂 Have a great weekend Kiran!
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker recently posted..Nutella Swirl Cheesecake Bars

28 Kiran July 16, 2013 at 6:19 PM

Anne — aww, thanks friend. the flowers definitely helped making it all so pretty. Try iced crysanthemum. It’s so good! Have a great week 🙂

29 Laura (Tutti Dolci) July 12, 2013 at 8:46 PM

What a refreshing tea and those flowers are so pretty!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) recently posted..honey-almond granola

30 Kiran July 16, 2013 at 6:20 PM

Laura — thank you!

31 Patty July 12, 2013 at 10:10 PM

Happy Friday! Love your pictures and creative iced tea recipe…Summertime is perfect for ice tea 🙂
Patty recently posted..Buttery Apricot-Pluot Jam Sandwich Cookies

32 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 1:06 AM

Patty — thanks my dear and hope you are having a great week 🙂

33 Radhika Vasanth July 13, 2013 at 12:58 AM

I feel refreshed just looking at your pictures. It is past midnight but I can stay up for few more hours now. I heart your recipes Kiran and your pictures too.
Radhika Vasanth recently posted..Homemade Ghee Recipe from scratch using Raw milk | Homemade Butter Recipe

34 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 1:44 AM

Radhika — awww, thanks so much my friend. go and get some sleep too 🙂

35 easyfoodsmith July 13, 2013 at 9:33 AM

Beautiful colored ‘tea’ Kiran! So refreshing and so different!
easyfoodsmith recently posted..MASALA SPICED ROASTED BEET LASSI

36 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 1:48 AM

EFS — thanks and that’s natural color 🙂

37 Alice July 13, 2013 at 9:50 AM

Beautiful pictures, styling and recipe! A total winner all round!
Alice recently posted..Instagram-Insta-video Weekly wrap up 2

38 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 1:53 AM

Alice — thank you so much my dear 🙂

39 Angie@Angie's Recipes July 13, 2013 at 9:57 AM

Must be very refreshing! Gorgeous clicks!
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Gluten Free Chocolate Tofu Tartlets with Cherry Compote

40 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 1:55 AM

Angie — yes! and thank you so much 🙂

41 jehanne@thecookingdoctor July 13, 2013 at 10:42 AM

wow, love the colours..and your display is anytime better than any floral drink from the shop! Chrysanthemum is my favourite, not so much barley tho:-)
jehanne@thecookingdoctor recently posted..Empanadas..the worldly hand pies, Guest Post for With a Spin

42 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 1:56 AM

Jehanne — thank you. i think barley is dull on its own. i love adding a squeeze of lemon/lime juice. perks it all up!

43 Daniela July 13, 2013 at 12:51 PM

You make even a simple recipe look so elegant and sophisticated I just love it.
The Ice tea looks delicious, perfect summer treat.
Daniela recently posted..Tomato Bread Salad Tuscany Style

44 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 2:45 AM

Daniela — awww, thanks dear friend 🙂

45 Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies July 13, 2013 at 12:55 PM

What a beautiful iced tea! I love the flavors of rose and lavender, but I don’t think I’ve tried any other flowers…
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies recently posted..What I Ate This Week | Raw Pad Thai, Grilled Kale & Sleep Deprivation

46 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 2:47 AM

Kiersten — love rose and lavender too. but there’s a lot more floral variety out there to try 🙂

47 Sissi July 13, 2013 at 3:44 PM

Kiran, this is such a wonderful drink idea for hot days. I have been sipping cold green tea all day, but I would love to have a glass of your drink. It looks so beautiful!
I have tasted once barley water and loved it! In Europe hibiscus “tea” is very popular. In many countries. It’s slightly sour, but I like it a lot.
Sissi recently posted..Easiest Apricot Cake Without Eggs

48 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 2:48 AM

Sissi — ooh, i love hibiscus tea! the color and taste is just impeccable 🙂

49 sippitysup July 13, 2013 at 4:00 PM

Lightly herbal and very floral. Beautiful work. GREG
sippitysup recently posted..Lamb Meatballs- Your Globe or Mine?

50 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 2:54 AM

Greg — thank you!!

51 Carolyn Chan July 13, 2013 at 10:02 PM

Sorry for not visiting in a while – I have had a bunch of crazy things happen all at once – my work computer (and two years of backup) died, I got the flu which I am trying to get over so I can go diving !! Anyway, your post is the first I got to and as usual I admire your pictures – always gorgeous – and also appreciate the short post !!
I drink “teas” by the gallon – black tea, white tea, green tea, but I actually also love floral teas. The Chinese here drink rose bud tea which is just sooooo aromatic it’s the perfect evening tea for me.
Carolyn Chan recently posted..Luke’s Oyster Bar and Chophouse

52 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 2:56 AM

Carolyn — oh my dear friend, please don’t apologize. you are not obligated to drop comments every time you pay us a visit 🙂

I’m so sorry for the technical hiccups and hope you are recuperating from the flu.

Take care! xoxo

53 Vishakha July 13, 2013 at 10:15 PM

A beautiful drink.. and the you’ve clicked them beautifully.
Vishakha recently posted..Crispy Salmon with Garlic Coriander sauce

54 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 2:58 AM

Vishakha — thank you friend 🙂

55 Amy Tong July 13, 2013 at 11:59 PM

This is so pretty and I really love floral tea/water. 🙂 Your pictures are gorgeous, as always. I feel cooler just by looking at your pictures. And now, I couldn’t wait to have a pitcher on my table.
Amy Tong recently posted..Strawberry Tiramisu (草莓提拉米蘇)

56 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 3:08 AM

Amy — awww, thank you so so much. i hope you get to have some soon 🙂

57 CCU July 14, 2013 at 2:51 AM

Haha a good drink and Friday are ideal reasons to smile 😀

Cheers
CCU
CCU recently posted..CCU Undercover Diary: Patisserie New York

58 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 3:09 AM

CCU — totally 😀

59 The Sketched Chef July 14, 2013 at 4:03 PM

Beautiful shots!
It looks really yummy

60 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 3:17 AM

TSC — thank you so much 🙂

61 john@kitchenriffs July 14, 2013 at 4:27 PM

We drank iced tea by the gallon when we lived in Florida! And still drink quite a bit of it in the summer in St. Louis. Lovely flavor in your tea – this must be super refreshing, not to mention exceptionally tasty. Good stuff – thanks.
john@kitchenriffs recently posted..Summer White Bean and Quinoa Salad

62 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 3:22 AM

John — with all the humidity here in Florida, it’s still essential to up the water intake 🙂

63 Liren July 14, 2013 at 5:34 PM

So so pretty, Kiran. I’m intrigued by barley water – I do think I must try these “teas!”
Liren recently posted..Simple Sundays | Spaghetti with Mascarpone Alfredo Sauce and Sugar Snap Peas

64 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 3:23 AM

Liren — thanks so much! you need to try barley water. it’s so cooling and refreshing 🙂

65 Coffee and Crumpets July 14, 2013 at 6:26 PM

oooh! How perfect for breaking the fast! That would be perfect to quench our day long thirst during these hot days.When we were moving from England many moons ago, my dad had picked two countries as possibilities for his business, US and Malaysia. We ended up in the US.
I remember my mother would make lots of barley water for my grandfather and we would enjoy some too mixed with lemon. Yum! I should make that for Ramadan, it would be nice to have the “cooling” effect on out “hot” stomachs.
Thanks Kiran!

Nazneen
Coffee and Crumpets recently posted..Ataif with Walnuts and Coconut

66 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 3:24 AM

Nazneen — oh yes! can’t beat the taste and cooling effect of barley water. so refreshing with lemon too 🙂

67 Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella July 14, 2013 at 9:49 PM

Gorgeous photos! The pink really pops and it looks like a deliciously refreshing drink too 😀
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella recently posted..Six Lunches, Six People: What Do You Eat For Lunch?

68 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 3:25 AM

Lorraine — thanks friend! you are spot on about refreshing 😀

69 honeywhatscooking July 14, 2013 at 11:00 PM

as always gorgeous photos. i’ve never made iced tea, i’m too busy drinking hot tea. need to try this one summer day.
honeywhatscooking recently posted..Montreal Dinners @ L’Express & Le Taj | QC, Canada

70 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 3:29 AM

Nisha — you need to try iced tea now that it’s summer 🙂

71 laurasmess July 15, 2013 at 12:05 AM

Gorgeous, gorgeous styling and photography as always Kiran! I love floral teas. We have a shop called T2 over here and they sell beautiful ranges of both fruit and floral infusions, with or without black or green tea as a base. I’m a bit addicted 🙂 Love this post. Yay for simplicity when it’s as gorgeous as this! xx
laurasmess recently posted..Curing Olives, Part Two

72 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 3:36 AM

Laura — lol, thanks a lot my sweet friend. glad you are enjoying the abundance of beautiful and delicious infused “teas” 🙂

73 Maria July 15, 2013 at 2:17 AM

Vow loved your props and the drink look so inviting and refreshing 🙂
Maria recently posted..Basic Chocolate Chiffon Cake

74 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 3:37 AM

Maria — thank you so so much, friend 🙂

75 Jennifer @ Delicieux July 15, 2013 at 3:55 AM

So pretty! And what a gorgeous tea. I’m a huge tea lover, so I’ll have to try this. I hope I can get my hands on snow chrysanthemums.
Jennifer @ Delicieux recently posted..Baguette Bistrot + Bar, Brisbane

76 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 3:37 AM

Jennifer — thank you so much, friend. i got mine from an asian supermarket. perhaps that is where you want to begin your search. online might help too!

77 Alison @ Ingredients, Inc July 15, 2013 at 6:09 AM

this looks and sounds AMAZING!

78 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 3:38 AM

Alison — thanks friend 🙂

79 Kelly July 15, 2013 at 7:34 AM

This sounds like the perfect refreshing summer drink. Love the pretty flowers and your photos are just so incredibly amazing Kiran:)

80 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 3:41 AM

Kelly — thank you so much my dear 🙂

81 Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com July 15, 2013 at 8:42 AM

This “tea” is so, so pretty! Yup – this would most definitely make me wanna drink more water – and I only usually drink water when it’s flavored with coffe 😉
Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com recently posted..Droolworthy Guacamole

82 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 3:48 AM

Shashi — thank you so much! there’s nothing more refreshing than iced tea or coffee this time of the year 🙂

83 cquek July 15, 2013 at 11:35 AM

i would love to have it and relax in my balcony

84 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 3:50 AM

Cquek — I love your idea 🙂

85 Tanvi@SinfullySpicy July 15, 2013 at 2:41 PM

So perfect and refreshing for summer! I love the floral hint that you have added to tea. Great, exotic recipe!
Tanvi@SinfullySpicy recently posted..Pasta in Creamy Bell Pepper Chutney Sauce

86 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 3:51 AM

Tanvi — thank you so much, sweet friend 🙂

87 Suchi July 15, 2013 at 4:55 PM

Pretty food & drinks are on your list, I always went for colours…my food has to look colourful for me to be interested in eating it 🙂 Lovely photos as always….I could do with some iced tea right now…
Suchi recently posted..Meeting Gordon Ramsay at Royal Doulton’s Pre-Launch Event At Bread Street Kitchen

88 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 3:52 AM

Suchi — thanks, and it’s true. after all, we feasts with our eyes first 😀

89 Mr. & Mrs. P July 15, 2013 at 6:33 PM

This sounds so refreshing. Perfect tea for the summer! Loving all the photo as always!!
Mr. & Mrs. P recently posted..Happy 4th Birthday Joey!

90 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 3:56 AM

Mr & Mrs P — thank you so much 🙂

91 Elizabeth July 15, 2013 at 7:18 PM

I love this idea (and your jaw-dropping imagery)! I am hosting a party for both of my girls this would be such a great beverage to have on hand.
Elizabeth recently posted..toasted couscous salad with zucchini & grapes

92 Kiran July 17, 2013 at 4:02 AM

Elizabeth — awww, thanks a lot friend. i hope you get to serve this for the party 🙂

93 Nami | Just One Cookbook July 15, 2013 at 8:59 PM

I have only seen beautiful tea with flowers and haven’t yet tried (if Chinese chrysanthemum tea doesn’t count). By looking at the tea, it’s already soothing and relaxing. Perfect summer drink!
Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted..Grilled Miso Chicken 鶏の味噌漬け焼き

94 Kiran July 18, 2013 at 7:38 PM

Nami — thanks, and yes! this is definitely soothing to the eye and soul 🙂

95 Katerina July 16, 2013 at 4:41 AM

I love learning about childhood memories and how food is connected to them. Your iced tea is very aromatic Kiran and perfect for the long, humid, hot days you describe!
Katerina recently posted..Cretan Dakos

96 Kiran July 18, 2013 at 7:49 PM

Katerina — thanks friend! food definitely creates memories 🙂

97 Asmita July 16, 2013 at 10:59 AM

Lovely! Gorgeous clicks!
Asmita recently posted..Cluster Beans With Potatoes”Guwar And Aloo Bhaji”

98 Kiran July 18, 2013 at 8:19 PM

Asmita — thank you so much!

99 Isabella July 17, 2013 at 2:40 PM

This tea sounds delicious. Do you have any suggestion on where I can get floral tea here in Florida? Do you think Whole Foods has it?

100 Kiran July 18, 2013 at 8:21 PM

Isabella — thank you so much! i live in Orlando and managed to get mine from an Oriental grocery/supermarket. I’m unsure about Whole Foods, but most likely they’ll carry processed tea that is already infused.

101 nusrat2010 July 17, 2013 at 10:37 PM

Lovely ! Hands down sexy !
nusrat2010 recently posted..Grilled Red Snapper

102 Kiran July 18, 2013 at 8:22 PM

Nusrat — lol, thanks friend 🙂

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