For The Register
The kids are out of school, the A/C is blasting and the sun is shining late into the day — Summer is on, and The Spice & Tea Exchange has recipes, infusions and ingredients that will take your beverages to new refreshing heights.
Whether you’re heading to a backyard barbecue with a cocktail pitcher in hand or wanting to elevate your cocktail hour by the pool, the expansive and innovative recipes by The Spice & Tea Exchange blend new, bright flavors and offer unique twists on classics.
With ingredients so dynamic and versatile, you may even find yourself crafting your own custom drink for summer 2024. Until then, explore these excellent recipes, with ingredients and how-to preparations just a click away.
- Tropical Bay Breeze — Layered with Hibiscus Flower – Cut & Sifted tea, this vibrant beverage transports you to a vacation on the water. Combine Mango Tango Herbal Tea infused vodka, Mango Sugar simple syrup, pineapple juice and fresh lime to create a cocktail perfectly sweet and tart. For ingredients and recipe, go to spiceandtea.com/Tropical-Bay-Breeze.
- Sunnyside Sangria — Perfect for prepping ahead of time, this light and crisp white wine sangria infuses a dry white wine with Green Tropical Green Tea. Make a homemade syrup with Mango Sugar and Peppermint Herbal Tea, add lemons, frozen fruit, pineapple juice, and brandy to your favorite pitcher, and store until party time. Top with sparkling wine or club soda and garnish with sprigs of fresh herbs. For ingredients and recipe, go to spiceandtea.com/Sunnyside-Sangria_2.
- Spicy Matcha Margarita — Spice up your summer with a cocktail tailored to your desired heat and sweet. Rim glasses with Chile Lime Sea Salt and add tequila, lime juice, pineapple juice and agave to a shaker. Add matcha from the Matcha Tin — Ceremonial and fill with ice. Shake vigorously, strain, and pour over ice. Garnish with limes or pepper slices, depending on how spicy you want your summer to be. For ingredients and recipe, go to spiceandtea.com/Spicy-Matcha-Margarita.
- Blood Orange Tea Sparkler — For a snappy, tangy cocktail, infuse Blood Orange Smoothie Herbal Tea with a citrus-forward gin. Combine Florida Sunshine Sugar with blood orange zest for a zing on the rim of your favorite tropical glass. Fresh blood orange juice and ginger beer make this sparkler tingle your taste buds. For ingredients and recipe, go to spiceandtea.com/Blood-Orange-Tea-Sparkler.
- Watermelon Hibiscus Mimosa — This beautifully pink coupe cocktail blends Hibiscus Sugar simple syrup with fresh watermelon and orange juice. Top with sparkling wine or make it a kid-friendly mocktail by swapping in seltzer or sparkling white grape juice. For ingredients and recipe, go to spiceandtea.com/Watermelon-Hibiscus-Mimosa.
The Spice & Tea Exchange has four locations on the First Coast:
- 59 Hypolita St., St. Augustine. Phone: 904-826-3770
- 167 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine. Phone: 904-495-4493
- 1960 San Marco Blvd., Jacksonville. Phone: 904-423-1671
- 316 Centre St., Fernandina Beach Phone: 904-432-7897
