5 Tunes and Teas To Keep You Cool For The Summer
Summer is here! What do you mean, you didn’t notice?
Didn’t you see the birds and the bees, the birds being birds and the bees watching them be?(Didn’t you have a poetry phase that resurfaces every season beginning, like so many matcha bubbles frothing forth when you sip?)
Well, I can’t promise poetry because that’s a bit outside my area of expertise, but within my scope of practice I can most certainly promise tea— and the kind of poetry you might have heard played in varying degrees of repetition on the radio, aka: tea tunes, my dear!
Thus, without further ado or to-do, let’s get you set with five (at least) teas that should drive away the heat and keep you cool for the summer. (That being said, no guarantees on whether these teas are effective for or against birds or bees. This is where if you play Dungeons and Dragons, I’d suggest running a Nature check or rolling for Animal Handling—then tell me how that plays out, because I’m sure that if there are unspecified-candy-kingdom-themed campaigns out there on the Internet, then a birds-and-bees-themed campaign shouldn’t be a stretch for anyone’s imagination.)
Demi Lovato's "Cool For The Summer" paired with
1. Wild Strawberry
If you’re of the age that was able to follow the Disney Channel around 2000-… something, then you’re well familiar with the name of Demi Lovato. This singer could definitely identify as a wild child! Her songs center around self-confidence, power, and overall being a strong person despite whatever slings and arrows may be slung your existential way. (I apologize, but just now realizing that I think I average about fifty Hamlet references a year, and half of those are making use of the phrase “slings and arrows” in repetition. I know I should be sorrier, but isn’t it such a good phrase for when life gets you feeling attacked and defeated? All the more reason to listen to empowering music!)
That’s why Wild Strawberry is such a perfect pair for it. The tea is easy to steep with a variable temperature kettle at boiling water for five minutes, just enough time to dance to what Demi is throwing down.
Taking Back Sunday's "You’re So Last Summer" paired with
2. Tiger Eye
If we’re going to talk phases in poetry and all the feels of high school, then don’t tell me you didn’t have an emo phase. Or proclivity. Or even vague, vague interest in the soulful chords that got strummed over the AMs and FMs before Spotify was ever a twinkle in its startup’s eye. Taking Back Sunday is one of those pinnacle emo bands that you need under your checkered skater belt for proper emo cred.
While you listen, steep this angsty-sweet black tea for two-three minutes at boiling, in a cute glass pot like this one, and watch it soothe your memories of summer solitude.
Frozen's "In Summer" paired with
3. Turmeric Bliss
Oh, Olaf. Dear, sweet, sublimely oblivious Olaf. Need I say more? You can luckily enjoy this tea all season long, and in all the other seasons if you play with it being hot or iced. Summertime is a great chance to make up your own recipe for Turmeric Bliss iced tea, or use Adagio’s pre-made version.
Jordan Donica's "Never Would I Leave You" paired with
4. Passionfruit Tango
We’re into the tear-jerkers! (Happy ones. Broadway nostalgic ones. I promise!) The only song on this playlist without the word “summer” in the title, because Lancelot does a plenty good job of covering why he couldn’t leave Guinevere in springtime, and certainly not in summer—in fact, he can’t leave her in any season at all.
And you won’t want to leave a cup of this iced tea either! Passionfruit Tango dances with your tastebuds in a cavalier way that will never abandon you to a loveless partnership. Make sure to store it safely in your fridge with a spillproof container!
Progy and Bess' "Summertime" paired with
5. Kentucky Bourbon
No summer playlist would be complete without this one. When the living is this easy, I just want to give you a tea that makes life easy for you, too. Kentucky Bourbon is my favorite to recommend for a versatile black that goes well hot or iced, and moreover it’s a great teetotaler beverage! You’ll be able to relax into every sip without guilt, as summer should feel and be—no bees about it—for everything. (Speaking of bees, though, make sure to check out Adagio Bees and add a touch of premium honey!)
What are your favorite sips and songs? Let us know in the comments.
Cheers!
Natasha Nesic
NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, Founder of Work Life Fitness