Summer Solstice 2015

Sunday the 21st is the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.This means the United States and Europe are experiencing summer, while South America, Africa, and Australia are experiencing the Winter Solstice. What is a Solstice? Well, in the summer it means the longest day of the year (the day with the most sunlight) and the shortest night. Conversely, the Winter Solstice has the shortest days and longest nights. As an American,  it is strange to think of my counterparts in Australia experiencing cold weather while we are sweating our way through the day. 

Mason Jar Monday Arizona Ice Tea Mimic

Welcome to Mason Jar Monday!

Today’s Mason Jar Monday is a great mimic recipe. The weather is turning. More of us are out working in the gardens, doing yard work, and having BBQ’s and gatherings. Today I offer you a great recipe to mimic Arizona Ice Tea. I love Arizona Ice Tea, but the cost is a little high for my budget. This is a budget-friendly way to make a very close ice tea that you would be hard-pressed to identify as a mimic in a taste test.

Let’s start with the ingredients. Gather together:

• 8 cups of boiling hot water
• 1 Lipton Green Tea Bag
• ½ cup of Sugar (more or less to taste)
• 2 Tablespoons of local honey
• 2 ½ Tablespoons of Lemon Juice (again, to taste. I like a little more)
• ¼ Tablespoon of Ginseng extract 

How to: Steep the tea bag in the hot water for about an hour. During this time the liquid will cool. After an hour, remove the tea bag and add the remaining ingredients. I make it in a bottle with a lid (I reuse an old Arizona Ice Tea jug). Give the ingredients a good shake (or stir) and then serve over ice.

Store: Store in the refrigerator. It will keep in the fridge for a week or so, but it never lasts that long in my house.

Serve: I prefer to serve my Arizona Ice Tea in Mason Jars with a Slice of Lemon on the rim and sprig of fresh mint.

Cool and refreshing for just pennies, this mimic of Arizona Ice Tea is super easy to make so you never run out at home!