The Heat is on and it is so fun to entertain outdoors. Try these suggestions as a signature drink at your next party or just for fun to enjoy your deck, porch or patio.
🍃Iced Herbal Tea Blends – Brew herbal tea and chill for a refreshing summer drink.The best ones for hydrating have lemon herbs, like lemon grass, lemon balm or lemon thyme.
🍋Herbal Lemonade or Limeade – Infuse lemonade with Zesty Lemon Tea or Holy Basil Relaxing Tea. The lemonr and the mint in each of these will take lemonade to the next level.
🍹Mocktail Spritzers – Use Faux Gin with sparkling water and citrus for a refreshing non-alcoholic cocktail.
🍯Herbal Simple Syrups – Infuse syrups with herbs for iced teas and cocktails.Here is a quick recipe for thyme single syrup that one can use to make Thyme without Gin, one of my favorite summer sippers.
Thyme Simple Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup fresh thyme sprigs
Combine sugar and water in a small pot and heat over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and add sage leaves, stir until leaves are submerged. Allow leaves to steep for 15-20 minutes and strain into a glass container and place in the fridge until ready to use.
Can last in the fridge for up to 1 month or frozen in ice cube trays for later use for ice teas, flavored waters and cocktails.
Thyme without Gin Mocktail
- 1 cup Thyme simple syrup
- 2 cups fresh lemon juice (from about 10 lemons)
- 1 cup Faux gin
- Garnish: thyme sprigs
Place thyme simple syrup in a large pitcher. Stir in lemon juice, gin substitute, and 6 cups cold water to pitcher. Refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour (and up to 1 week). Serve over ice, garnished with thyme sprigs. Add sparkling water before serving for extra fun.
🥒Cucumber-Mint Infused Water – Keep cool with naturally flavored hydration.
Cold Brew Hibiscus Tea Sangria – Make a chilled, fruity herbal tea sangria for gatherings.
🌺 Cold-Brewed Hibiscus Sangria
Bright, fruity, and alcohol-free — or add wine for a spirited version!
- 2 tbsp Backyard Patch Tangy Hibiscus Tea Blend
- 4 cups cold water
- 1 cup mixed fruit (sliced oranges, strawberries, apples, lemons)
- 1–2 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional, to taste)
- 1 cup sparkling water (for serving)
- Optional: ½ cup red wine or rosé for a classic sangria twist
In a large jar or pitcher, combine hibiscus tea and cold water. Add sliced fruit and sweetener if using. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight for full flavor. Strain (or leave fruit in for garnish) and top with sparkling water before serving. Serve over ice with a fresh fruit skewer or herb sprig (like mint or lemon balm).
Herbal Ice Cubes – Freeze herbs, fruits and edible flowers in ice cubes for fancy drinks. and fun flavors.
❄️Frozen Herb & Berry Slushies – Blend herbal teas with frozen berries for a hydrating summer treat.
Frozen Berry & Herb Tea Slushy
Cool, fruity, and herbaceous — the ultimate summer refresher!
- 2 cups brewed and chilled Backyard Patch Herbal Tea
(Tangy Hibiscus, Summer Burst, Elmhurst Garden Walk Tea, or Lemon Peppermint would all work great!) - 1½ cups frozen mixed berries
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional, to taste)
- Juice of ½ lemon or lime
- ½–1 cup ice cubes (optional, for thicker texture)
Brew 2 cups of herbal tea, then chill completely. In a blender, combine chilled tea, frozen berries, lemon juice, and sweetener (if using). Add ice if you want it extra thick and frosty. Blend until smooth and slushy. Pour into glasses and garnish with a sprig of mint or lemon balm.
Variations:
- Use Tangy hibiscus tea + strawberries for a tangy ruby red treat.
- Try Elmhurst Garden Walk Tea + blueberries for a calming twist.
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For adults, add a splash of rosé or berry vodka for a frozen cocktail version.
