Spiced mint & citrus iced tea

What you need for refreshment? Try this...

INGREDIENTS
4 peppermint tea bags
1 cinnamon stick
2 whole star anise
1/3 cup (75g) caster sugar
2 x 5cm strips lemon rind
4 cups (1L) boiling water
3 cups (750ml) orange juice
1/3 cup torn mint leaves, plus extra to serve
ice cubes, to serve

METHOD
1. Place tea bags, cinnamon, star anise, sugar and rind in a large heatproof bowl. Add boiling water and stand for 30 minutes to steep.
2. Strain into a large serving jug, discarding solids. Add orange juice and mint. Refrigerate for 2 hours, until chilled.
3. Place ice cubes in serving glasses and fill with ice tea. Garnish with mint leaves. Serve.

Frozen fruit smoothies

INGREDIENTS

300g frozen mango, chopped
1 frozen banana
1 cup (250ml) low-fat-milk
1/4 cup (75g) plain yoghurt
1/4 cup (20g) rolled oats
1 tbsp honey, or to taste
a slices of banana, to garnish

METHOD
1. Place ingredients, except banana slices, in a blander and blend until smooth and creamy.
2. Pour smoothie into glasses. Garnish with banana and serve.

* Freeze fruits when they are plentiful so you have a ready supply.
* If you're using flavoured yoghurt, which is a great option, you won't need the extra sweetness of the honey.

Limeade

Place 2 sliced limes on a tray and freeze for 1 hour. Coarsely chop 10 whole limes and place in a food processor. Add 1 cup caster sugar and 1/2 cup water. Process until juicy and limes are completely broken down. Pour mixture through a sieve into a large jug or bowl. Discard pulp. Refrigerate until ready to use. Serve in glass with ice. Top up with soda water.

Peach & lemon iced tea.

As the temperature rises, cool down in the summer heat with these drinks.Easy to make and tasty.

Place 4 Lipton tea bags, 1 chopped lemon and 2 chopped peaches into a large heatproof jug. Pour 4 cups boiling water into the jug, and leave to cool. Strain and chill. Transfer to a serving jug with 1L lemonade. Cut 1 lemon and 2 peaches into thin wedges and add to the jug, along with 1/4 cup roughly chopped mint leaves. Serve over ice.