Few things are as satisfying as a refreshing iced tea on a sweltering summer day. But going to Starbucks for a cold beverage on a regular basis can swiftly drain your savings. Trust me: I once choked on my cold brew when I looked at my bank statement and saw that I had spent $215 on Starbucks in a single month.
If you're tired of handing over your hard-earned money to coffee shops, we're here to let you in on a little secret — you can recreate your own version of Starbucks' iced teas and refreshers using cheap ingredients and pantry staples you have at home. Read on to find out how one Redditor makes their own "refreshing, cold summer drink" for a fraction of the cost using tea and lemonade from Trader Joe's.
@malloryhudsonxo This starbucks copycat iced passion tango tea lemonade is SOOO GOOD as soon as it gets warm out i can’t stop drinking it😂 recipe below⬇️ Single serving: (x4 for a batch) 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup lemonade (i use simply) Ice Passion tea from @tazo | steep for 5-6 minutes #starbucksathome #starbuckscopycatrecipes #summerdrinks #drinkrecipe #summerdrinkideas #summerdrinkrecipes #passiontangotealemonade ♬ original sound - Mallory Hudson
How Do I Make Starbucks' Copycat Iced Teas?
"I love those sweet iced teas from Starbucks, but they seem ridiculously overpriced," writes the user. Indeed, at $4 to $5 per drink (and that's not even for a Venti), buying drinks at Starbucks can quickly add up; add on a Starbucks breakfast sandwich or bakery item and you're looking at a major dent in your wallet. Lucky for us, the Redditor notes that you can buy "pomegranate white tea bags from Trader Joe’s" to make your own copycat brews at home.
Once you've got your tea bags in hand, swing on by the juice section and grab some lemonade (and ice, if you don't already have it at home). This is going to be the zesty touch that takes your homemade brew to the next level.
Do you have to use pomegranate white tea? Absolutely not. You're the barista, and the world is your oyster. Do you love classic black tea? Or are you a fan of green tea? Or maybe you have a soft spot for a fruity hibiscus or fragrant Chai? The options are endless. You can even create own flavors by mix and matching different teas.
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How Long Should the Tea Steep?
For a strong brew, let your tea bags soak in hot water for at least 5 minutes; for a lighter flavor, 2-3 minutes will do. Once you're satisfied with the intensity of your brew, remove the tea bags and let the tea cool. If you're in a hurry, you can even pop it in the fridge. Then pour your cooled tea over ice, but don't fill it to the brim — leave some room at the top. Lastly, pour in your lemonade, stir it all up, and enjoy.
If you prefer your drinks on the sweeter side, add a spoonful of honey or a drizzle of agave while the tea is still hot. Or, for an extra zing, toss in a few fresh fruit slices. But remember: The lemonade will already have a lot of sugar, so you may not even need to add anymore sweeteners.
Now you've got a Starbucks-worthy refresher for a fraction of the price. "It’s gotta be less than 1/10th the price of the Starbucks drinks and makes for a very refreshing cold summer drink," writes the user, adding, "As a side benefit, it definitely has way less sugar as I usually only add a few ounces of lemonade."
Other users agreed with the hack, with one Redditor saying: "Yes! Homemade iced tea is so good. I like raspberry zinger. It feels like a treat." Another writes: "Goodness. This post has got me planning to dig my big tea dispenser out of the basement and start brewing my own iced tea again." Why, don't mind if we do.
