Strawberry Basil Lemonade

Another 2018 52Teas unopened pouch. Decided to prepare this as coldbrew.

This is interesting. I drink tulsi often, but I don’t think I’ve ever had a tea with standard basil before. It is definitely the front-and-center flavor here, tasting — interestingly enough — like a mix of fennel and mint to me. Since I enjoy fennel, I’m kind of digging the slight “licorice-without-any-sweetness” taste I’m getting. The base is a bit grassy/herbaceous and I do get a pop of lemon citrus toward the end of the sip, which lingers on the tongue. I’m not tasting any strawberry at all though… I wonder if I need to hot brew to get that flavor? Or maybe add some sweetener to the cold brew… Or that flavor could just be a victim to the ridiculous amount of time it takes me to get to a tea.

It’s a nice cold brew. Has a very crisp, yet refreshing, feel to it. I’m enjoying the lemon/basil flavor I’m getting, and certainly would not shy away from other teas with basil in the future.

Cold Brew Sipdown (1288)!

I think this was a share from VariaTEA but possibly from Kittenna – regardless, thank you to whomever passed it along! I thought it was pretty nice, but overwhelming basil flavoured versus any other notes. A pretty pleasant, smooth basil that was as refreshing as it was herbaceous. Of course, I’m keeping in mind that this was an older sample and some of the flavourings may have faded overtime – versus basil, which is a pretty dominant/lasting flavour. Thankfully I like basil a lot.

Aside from that note, I got some slight fruitier undertones – maybe a crispness that could be called lemon? It was pretty hard to decipher without relying heavily on the name and ingredients list for indicators.

I enjoyed the tea a lot though, and I think I would have been more disappointed if this was just another generic strawberry lemon combination with only a hint of basil instead of the other way around. Basil is the cool ingredient here – best it get some love!

Sipdown (355)

I don’t love this one. It’s got a nice strawberry note up front but for me the lemon, basil, and green tea base blend and make for a more grassy than fruity tea. I am having it iced And it’s fine but not for me.

Had a sample of this from the order VariaTEA and i placed. Not something i’d pick up myself but something i’d drink if offered if that makes sense. I quite liked the strawberry/lmon flavour of this one, though it wasn’t quite lemonade. the addition of the basil made it a little different that your typical strawberry green tea. It was a nice treat last night with dinner.

I had an all 52Teas tea day yesterday without even trying. By the time I got to the rooibos, I figured out what happened! I finished one of Frank’s monkey farts, Anne’s Chocolate Hazelnut Strawberry rooibos AND was pleasantly surprised that a Coconut Cream Pie blend that Frank made still had quite a nice flavor of coconut — the second steep was even more delicious (I think the bigger pieces of coconut actually last longer than the tiny pieces.) I had this one yesterday (first steep) and today (second steep). It seems like a lot of tea in one day, but sometimes first steeps and second steeps blend into the day before or the next. But I’m sure having fun appreciating all the lovely blends that Frank and Anne have made.
This one should be ideal for me, as I love lemon, strawberry and basil! I wish the resulted flavor had more basil than it does but it is mostly lemon. It seems like much less basil than the Tomato Pepper Basil blend that 52Teas creates. I like this one, but I’m surprised that the flavors don’t pop more. I’m not really tasting as much strawberry and basil. The green tea flavor might be more than the other flavors. This is certainly not an older blend yet! I love the idea for this one anyway.
Steep #1 // 1 1/2 teaspoon for a full mug// 38 minutes after boiling // 3 minute steep
Steep #2 // 28 minutes after boiling // 3 minute steep

I tried to make it last, but I polished this one off in no time. I guess it’s strawberry lemonade season?

The basil was a nice touch to this refreshingly juicy tea- it came out a little more strongly when I steeped it in hot water, as opposed to overnight steeping it in cold water, but it didn’t dominate like basil is want to do. Although, if it ever did become too much I likely wouldn’t have noticed since cooking with basil is a current trend at this house (may the little herb growing in garden survive a month longer and grow some new, less chewed, leaves).

Anyways, this one was neat. Would order again.