Southampton - As temperatures rise this summer, Americans will turn to their favorite ways to stay cool: air conditioning, beach days and, of course, iced tea.

Historians believe iced tea gained its place in American culture at the World's Fair in St. Louis in 1904 where a tea plantation owner was attempting to serve his hot tea to fairgoers. When he saw that overheated fairgoers had no interest in the beverage, he cooled the tea using frozen lead pipes to offer an alternative option. The iced tea was a hit, and an American tradition was born

More than 100 years later, Americans are still enjoying iced tea. In 2010, Americans consumed more than 65 billion servings of tea, according to the Tea Council of the USA. Of that, approximately 85 percent of tea is iced.

Today iced tea can be found bottled or fresh brewed in a variety of flavors - from pomegranate to watermelon and beyond. And sweetened or unsweetened isn't the only way it's served. Try it on the rocks.

"Iced tea cocktails and mocktails, like Citrus Iced Tea Punch, offer a new take on tea," said John Cheetham, a tea master for Lipton® who noted the brand recently launched a new 100 percent natural line of bottled iced tea. "We pride ourselves in tea innovation and we love to see our fans get creative with iced tea."

For a twist on traditional iced tea, Cheetham recommends mixing 100 percent Natural Lipton Iced Tea with fresh summertime ingredients like mint, coconut or orange juice. With a variety of flavors, such as favorites Green Tea with Citrus, Iced Tea with Lemon, or new flavors Iced Tea with Blueberry Pomegranate and Green Tea with Passionfruit Mango, the possibilities are endless. Lipton Iced Tea also recently introduced Diet Green Teas in Watermelon and Citrus flavors.

 • 2 bottles 100 percent Natural Lipton Iced Tea with Lemon
 • 1 cup orange juice
 • 1 lemon, sliced
 • 1 lime, sliced

1. Combine tea with orange juice in large pitcher; stir in sliced fruit. Serve in ice-filled glasses. Garnish, if desired, with fresh mint.

Tip: To transform from mocktail to cocktail just add tequila or rum.