Iced tea is just about the perfect summertime drink–it’s refreshing and full of antioxidants. It’s also much more affordable than canned or bottled soft drinks and juices.

There are three basic ways to make it:

You’ll need two tea bags or two teaspoons of loose tea per cup of water.

Sun tea: Place tea and water in a large pitcher or jar and place in the hot sun for several hours. Pour over ice to serve and refrigerate the rest after removing tea bags or straining loose tea.

Refrigerator tea: Steep tea in water for at least 24 hours. Remove tea bags or strain through a sieve if using loose tea.  Serve over ice.

Brewed tea: Bring water to a rolling boil and add to tea. Let steep for three to five minutes, stirring once to distribute the flavor. Remove tea bags or strain loose tea through a sieve and let it cool to room temperature before  serving over ice.

I personally prefer to brew my iced tea. Yes, it uses more energy than the other methods, but the boiling water helps the tea reach its full flavor potential. If you are pregnant and worried about caffeine, read this March of Dimes article, which includes a chart that shows how much caffeine is in certain drinks. At 48 grams of caffeine per 8-ounce serving, you can have up to four glasses a day. (Pregnant women are advised to drink under 200 grams a day.)

Remember that it’s important to stay hydrated during pregnancy and those early days of parenthood, especially if you’re nursing. What are your favorite healthful, economical beverages? Let us know!

For more Works for Me Wednesday ideas, head on over to We are THAT Family.