June is National Iced Tea Month - The Tasting Panel Magazine

June is National Iced Tea Month. Who knew?

Well, actually, the people at Wild Turkey knew. Leave it to the Kentucky bourbon crowd to come up with a way to spike up this summer standby. They've created recipes for combining the icy quencher with Wild Turkey.

Wild Turkey Mint Tea
makes 1 pitcher

4 cups water
4 black tea bags
2 tbsp sugar
1 cup fresh mint leaves
1 1/2 cups Wild Turkey bourbon
Juice of half lemon
Juice of half lime

Preparation:
In a large saucepan, boil 2 cups water. Remove from heat; add 4 teabags of black tea. Steep 8 minutes; discard teabags. Add 2 cups cold water. Transfer to pitcher and chill. Add fresh mint leaves. Using a wooden spoon, crush mint until fragrant. Stir in Wild Turkey bourbon. Serve over ice.

Wild Turkey Sparkling Tea
makes 1 pitcher

4 cups water
8 red herbal tea bags (such as lemon zinger or hibiscus)
2 cups Wild Turkey American Honey
Splash of club soda
Juice of one lemon
Cherries for garnish

Preparation:
In a large saucepan, boil 2 cups water. Remove from heat. Add tea bags. Steep 10 minutes; discard tea bags. Add 2 cups cold water to tea. Stir in Wild Turkey American Honey. Transfer to pitcher and chill. Just before serving, add lemon juice and a splash of club soda for a touch of refreshing fizz. Serve over ice.

And for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, Wild Turkey has also created LiberTea (Get it? Liberty!), a combination of lemonade and iced tea with Wild Turkey and American Honey, the honey liqueur from Wild Turkey.

LiberTea
makes 1 large pitcher

4 cups water
4 cups lemonade
4 black tea bags
1 cup fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup Wild Turkey bourbon
1 1/2 cups American Honey

Preparation:
In a large saucepan, boil 2 cups water. Remove from heat; add 4 teabags of black tea. Steep 8 minutes; discard teabags. Add 2 cups cold water and lemonade; transfer to pitcher and chill. Add fresh basil leaves. Using a wooden spoon, crush basil until fragrant. Stir in Wild Turkey Bourbon and American Honey. Serve over ice.

Although intended for backyard barbecue, these drinks could also work well at a patio bar.