Low-Calorie Drink Recipes

Sun Teas

Iced tea offers as much antioxidant power as hot teas, so drink up! Use the power of the sun to brew a clear, flavorful tea. For even more flavor, try one of the variations with mint, ginger, or berry.

Prep: 10 minutes
Stand: 2 hours
Makes: 8 servings

4 to 6 tablespoons loose tea or 4 to 6 tea bags
1 1/2 quarts cold water
Ice
Lemon wedges (optional)

1. Place loose tea into a tea ball or 100-percent cotton cheesecloth, tying with a string. (Do not use decaffeinated, green, or herbal teas.) Put into a 2-quart clear glass container. Add cold water. Cover and let stand in sunlight or at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours. (Keep the container away from combustible materials. Sunlight coming through glass and liquid can concentrate a beam of light that may start a fire.)

2. Remove tea ball or bags. Serve over ice or refrigerate immediately. If desired, serve with lemon wedges. Store in the refrigerator and use within 24 hours.

Nutrition Information per serving: 0 calories, 0g protein, 9g carbohydrate, 0g fat (0g saturated), 0g fiber

Hint of Mint Tea: Add 3/4 to 1 teaspoon snipped fresh mint to the loose tea or 4 to 6 crushed large mint leaves with the tea bags. Brew as directed. Remove mint before serving. If desired, garnish with fresh mint.

Ginger Tea: Add a 2- to 3-inch piece of fresh ginger, thinly sliced, with the loose tea or tea bags. Brew tea as directed. Strain before serving. If desired, garnish each serving with a ginger-flavored candy stick.

Very Berry Tea: Brew tea as directed. In a covered blender container blend 1 to 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries or raspberries until smooth. If desired, strain raspberry puree to remove seeds. Stir berry mixture into brewed tea. If desired, garnish with fresh berries.