It's raining outside, but it's warm in the library.

So I can help but sit here and daydream about iced tea. At the moment, I'm loving mine with lemon, thyme and a little honey, but there are plenty of other ways to add excitement to your iced beverage.

Start with this base recipe:

3 cups of boiling water
4 tea bags

Steep the tea bags in the boiling water for about 5 minutes. Strain out tea bags (do not squeeze them! ).

To which you might add...

1/3 cup honey

3 cups apple juice

Stir in the honey, mixing until it is completely dissolved. Add the juice and chill in the fridge. Serve over ice and refresh your winter blues away.

..or maybe..

Ginger root (about 4 cms)

1 cup cold water

Sugar or honey, to taste.

Finely slice the ginger root and crush. You'll need to add this at the start and strain it out with the teabags. Stir in the cold water and your sweetener (if desired) and chill in the fridge. Serve over ice for an energy boost.

..or even..

1 can peach juice

juice of half a lemon

Prepare the tea. Stir in peach juice, lemon juice and chill. Serve over ice for a taste of summer.

As I said, there are many more variations for iced tea (the only real limit is your imagination) but these three are particularly appropriate for winter. Make sure you allow the tea to completely chill before serving. If you pour hot, or even warm, tea over ice it will melt the ice and dilute the tea. Happy drinking!