21 January, 2025

Tea-licious Warm Drinks for Your Wintery Outdoor Adventures

A woman wearing a pink hat crouching on a trail, enjoying a cup of tea in a serene outdoor setting. Une personne portant un chapeau rose, accroupie sur un tronçon du Sentier, savourant une tasse de thé dans un cadre naturel paisible.

Colder temperatures are upon us, which means it’s time to head outside and take advantage of the winter wonderland. Another great part of winter? Warm drinks, particularly after a day of outdoor adventuring on the Trans Canada Trail. They’re tasty, they keep you hydrated, and they can give you an extra boost while you’re out on the Trail!

We’ve got two simple, low-caffeine or caffeine-free tea recipes that you can prepare in advance and bring with you in a thermos, or bring the dry tea mix on a winter camping trip or extended sojourn and prepare it on the spot!

Orange hibiscus tea

A glass of vibrant hibiscus tea resting on a countertop, showcasing its rich red hue. Un verre de thé à l’hibiscus d’une teinte rouge vive, posé sur un comptoir.

This tea is not only tasty, it’s also beautiful! Plus, it’s good for you: hibiscus is rich in antioxidants and beta carotene, and is known to lower blood pressure. Note, however, that you’re better off limiting your consumption to three hibiscus drinks daily.

A plate featuring dried fruit, including orange peel and dried hibiscus to make Orange hibiscus tea.Une assiette composée de fruits séchés, notamment des écorces d’orange et de l’hibiscus séché, pour préparer un thé à l’hibiscus et à l’orange.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon (0.5 g) dried hibiscus flowers

• 1 teaspoon (2 g) dried orange peel, chopped

• Sweetener of your choice (optional)

How to prepare

1. Mix hibiscus and orange peel in a loose-leaf tea strainer.

2. Add 1 cup (250 mL) boiling water and steep for approximately 5 minutes. Add sweetener if desired.

3. Enjoy!

Green tea with lemon, ginger and honey

A glass cup filled with green tea, garnished with fresh lemon slices, resting on a wooden surface. Une tasse en verre remplie de thé vert, décorée de tranches de citron frais, posée sur une surface en bois.

This low-caffeine option gives you a boost – plus it’s delicious! And, bonus: the health benefits of green tea are numerous: it contains antioxidants and it’s known to lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation. Plus, green tea flavours vary widely, so you can try out a bunch!

• 1 teaspoon (0.5 g) green tea of your choice, or 1 tea bag

• 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) lemon zest or juice of fresh lemon

• 1/2 teaspoon (2 g) fresh ginger, minced

• 1 teaspoon (7 g) honey (optional)

How to prepare

1. Add green tea, lemon zest (if using) and ginger to a loose-leaf tea strainer.

2. Add 1 cup (250 mL) of boiling water and steep for 3-4 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea.

3. Stir in honey (optional). If you’re using lemon juice, add that at this step.

4. Enjoy!