Kick it with citrus liqueur (photo © Kudayta).
Kudayta.com.

Yesterday we presented home-brewed iced tea. Today, we have iced tea with a kick.

Instead of adding a squeeze of lemon to your iced tea, try lemon liqueur (such as Limoncello) or orange liqueur (Cointreau, Grand Marnier, GranGala, Triple Sec, etc.).

You can even find lime liqueur. Lluvia de Estrellas Lime Liqueur with Tequila would taste terrific with the iced tea (though higher proof!). A visit to a large liquor store (or an online search) will yield other brands.

Want some heat?

Try Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur.

June is National Iced Tea Month. June 10th is National iced tea Day.
 
Preparation

Start by mixing a teaspoon of liqueur into an 8-ounce glass of tea; add more to taste. The sweetness of the liqueur offsets the need for sugar or honey and lets you enjoy the elegant nuances of the drink.

But those who need things sweeter can add a bit of simple syrup, superfine sugar, agave or honey.

While you can create a tea-based cocktail by using an entire shot of liqueur, using a smaller amount creates an enhanced iced tea rather than an alcoholic drink.

Add a slice of fresh lemon, orange, or lime liqueur to garnish.