[Photo: Kathy YL Chan]

At Tocqueville, a variety of iced teas are featured daily. On my most recent visit, a blend of chamomile, green tea, and lemon verbena served as the base of this iced concoction. Lest you think that's a mouthful, there is more: lychee and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Mint leaves are stirred in for good measure just before serving; it's a bright and decidedly summer-appropriate tea.

The lemon-verbena is what you taste first, accented by the lemon juice, then comes the lychee, subtle enough so that you'd almost miss the flavor if you weren't hunting for it. But ahh, there it is, paired with mint. The combination may not be traditional, but it all works excellently together. It's $5 to order, but refills are complimentary.

Tocqueville

1 East 15th Street, New York, NY 10003 (map)
212-647-1515
tocquevillerestaurant.com

About the author: Originally from Honolulu, Kathy YL Chan writes A Passion For Food, where she chronicles her eats and travels adventures between Hawai'i, New York and beyond.