By Kristi Alexandra
When a summer heatwave has us parched and the forecast calls for more sunny weather, is anyone else reaching for some refreshing summer sips as we brace for the insanitea?
We did the legwork to find the most unique twists on the classic iced tea in Metro Vancouver, and who’s serving them up, so you can quench your thirst in style.
Champagne Jasmine Iced Tea
Cold-infused premium jasmine green tea, grapefruit zest, and honey star in this concoction created by Tea Master Olivia Chan.
Where to find it: Treasure Green Tea Company, 227 East Georgia Street, Vancouver
Hawaiian Fruit Tea with Pearls and Coconut Jelly
A refreshing iced black tea using a blend of strawberry, orange and peach. Add pearls and coconut jelly for the perfect summer drink.
Where to find it: Chatime, with 15 locations across Metro Vancouver
Strawberry Cocoa Bean ‘Chocolate Iced Tea’
Made from Wild Sweets’ unique all natural cocoa bean ‘Chocolate Tea’, the tea is blended with pure fruit purees and lightly sweetened with a vanilla syrup. Other flavours include: Apricot + Passion Fruit, Lychee + Raspberry, and White peach
Where to find it: Wild Sweets by Dominique & Cindy Duby, Unit 2145 – 12191 Hammersmith Way, Richmond
Sweet Sunset Iced Elixir
This high-in-antioxidant iced tea is full of elderberry, raspberry, rosehip, hibiscus, apple, nettle leaf, vitex berry, monk fruit, and orange. Naturally sweetened with “Buddha-fruit,” otherwise known as “monk-fruit” or luo han guo.
Where to find it: Buddha-full; Lower Lonsdale (106 West 1st Street, North Vancouver) and Northwoods Village (102-2120 Dollarton Hwy, North Vancouver)
Cool Riser Iced Elixir
This hydrating iced tea contains lemon balm, cucumber, lime, chia seed, and monk fruit. The elixir does double-duty, claiming to replenish hydration and soothe the nervous system with some help from omega-3s.
Where to find it: Buddha-full; Lower Lonsdale (106 West 1st Street, North Vancouver) and Northwoods Village (102-2120 Dollarton Hwy, North Vancouver)
Jamaica Water
One of the most popular Mexican agua frescas, Jamaica water is actually a tea made from dried petals of the hibiscus flower. Find it served up cold at both Loz Takos locations below.
Where to find it: Loz Takos, Unit 1A – 20349 88th Ave., Township of Langley; and Unit 2658 – 2929 Barnet Hwy, Coquitlam.
Apple Bottom Greens
Steeped sencha tea, dried rose petals, dried cherries and dried green apple bits poured over ice with two pumps of organic Green Apple Syrup.
Where to find it: Beanery Coffee House & Eatery, 101-2591 Panorama Drive, Coquitlam.
Honey Berry with Peach
Honey bush, goji berries, blackberry leaves, natural raspberry flavour and peach syrup star in this summer special iced tea.
Where to find it: Papparoti Coquitlam, Unit 100 – 1196 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam.
Lemon Mint Tea
Full of licorice root, caraway seed, fennel, peppermint, tulsi herb and lemon syrup, this refreshing iced tea is caffeine free!
Where to find it: Papparoti Coquitlam, Unit 100 – 1196 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam.
Grapefruit Green Tea Bubble Tea
Green tea infused with grapefruit, complete with a slice of the fruit as an edible garnish. Add pearls or any combination of jelly for more options.
Where to find it: Leieve Tea, 1-15581 Marine Drive, White Rock
Sparkling Lemon Butterfly Star Tea
Dried butterfly pea flowers, lemons, club soda and sugar star in this drink, making it more of a lemonade than a tea. Either way, we’ll take it!
Where to find it: Prime’s Thai Tea White Rock (14963 Marine Drive) & Vancouver (1194 Robson Street)
Golden Kiwi
Cool golden kiwi in a green tea base keeps the crew at Weekend Tea feeling chill. This “hidden gem” on the Weekend Tea menu gives the ever-popular lychee a run for its money in refreshing sweetness. Garnished with a real slice of golden kiwi.
Where to find it: Weekend Tea, 101-5021 Kingsway, Burnaby
Layered Iced Matcha Watermelon Milk Tea
Hands up if you love a little milk in your fruit tea! If so, this treat is for you. With milky matcha green tea layered on top of watermon over ice, this glorious colour-gradient gives any special Starbucks frapp some healthy competition.
Where to find it: Leaf Tea Lounge,1618 152 Street, Surrey
Campino Iced Tea
Based on the creamy candies with stripes of real yoghurt and sun ripened fruits of the same name, the Hive’s Campino Iced Tea is made with the same fresh taste, but as a deliciously refreshing drink.
Where to find it: Hive Café, 609 Front Street, New Westminster
Raspberry Rapture
A blend of raspberry rooibis and Lady Hannah tisane, this tea is freshly brewed in the River Market and poured over ice.
Where to find it: Great Wall Tea Co, 810 Quayside Dr, New Westminster
Fresh Watermelon Real Fruit Slush Bubble Tea
The name says it all. Real watermelon is a mainstay at BobaCabana all summer long, made to blend into black, green or white teas, or with slush or milk. Try it with a blend of pearls and coconut jelly for a well-rounded tea experience.
Where to find it: BobaCabana, 360 – 800 Carvarvon Street, New Westminster
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