Tea Party at July 4th Picnic

July 4th is noted for picnics and fireworks. Families and friends from near and far gather together to enjoy themselves as they relax and kick back to watch the skies light up to the wondrous colors that make a lot of noise and sparkle, twinkle, whistle and pop as the night goes on.
As the picnics are being prepared one thing that has to be considered is what everyone is going to be drinking. Some families buy lots of pop, but we have found that everyone enjoys a good refreshing drink of Ice Cold Tea. Tea has become a main ingredient in our July 4th party. We have many types of recipe drinks on ways that Tea can be made.
We offered the children recently the choice between kool-aid or tea and the children took no time at all to speak up and say they wanted Tea. I prefer to drink my tea just plain with lots of ice. The children and younger couples use different things to enjoy their tea, but none the less, they love the good ole fashion drink of Tea.
Some of the children like tea with a little sweetener, while others prefer to have some mint added. Recently the children were introduced to a couple of new Tea recipes and they are so happy. They act like they do at Christmas time with a new gift.
The favorite is this drink
Iced Chocolatea
Steep one teacup (about 6 ounces) of Gunpowder green tea using twice as much tea as usual. During the three minutes or so while the tea is steeping, mix together in a small bowl or cup one heaping teaspoonful of cocoa powder -- I prefer Dorset’s -- and two spoonfuls of sugar. [Note: Use a flatware teaspoon, not a measuring teaspoon. Substitute equivalent amount of your favorite sweetener.] Stir in enough cold water to make a thin paste. Remove tea leaves and pour steeped tea into a tall glass or mug. Stir cocoa paste in well, then fill the glass to 3/4 full with cold water and stir again. Add ice cubes and enjoy!

Some other iced and hot tea ideas:

Make maple-vanilla iced tea by sweetening green tea with real maple syrup and stirring in a dash of real vanilla extract.
Steep a 50/50 combination of Fanciest Formosa Oolong and Ti Kuan Yin oolong teas. Serve straight or sweeten lightly for a very pleasant "oolong" tea, hot or iced.
Add a little fresh or dried mint or other herbs to the tea leaves as they steep.
Stir some rice milk or almond milk into your tea for a creamy taste and texture.
Mix plain iced tea with about half as much fruit juice. Try cranberry or pineapple, or a tropical blend. Sweeten to taste. Refreshing!
Plain iced tea mixed with an equal amount of prepared lemonade is the most refreshing summer cooler! Sweeten to taste.
Blend two or more juice flavors with tea for a "Carmen Miranda" tea, hot or cold. Also try fruit syrups or natural flavorings. Pour the juice, syrup, or flavoring into the cup or glass, then add the tea and stir well.
Freeze some prepared iced tea in ice cube trays, and use in place of plain water ice cubes, which dilute your iced tea. For additional flavor, also try ice cubes made with lemonade or fruit juice.