Good fresh squeezed lemonade in TO? Freshly brewed Iced Tea?

[phoenikia]

What restaurants are serving freshly squeezed lemonade or freshly brewed iced tea in TO? Does anyone serve unsweetened freshly brewed iced tea these days?

Thanks for any suggestions!

[Otonabee]

I know that both Balzacs and Mercury Coffee do really nice fresh lemonade. Sadly I don't think either of them do freshly brewed tea..

[paper_bag_princess]

David's Tea on Queen Street, just east of Spadina had freshly brewed iced tea a few weekends ago.

[pinkprimp]

Yes, you can choose from any of their loose leaf teas and they can prepare it for you, either hot or cold. However, last time I had one (the Singapore Sting tea, maybe?), even though it looked to be brewed double strength, the tea was still very weak tasting. Maybe it wasn't steeped long enough.

[Food Tourist]

Tealish on Walnut Street (takeout only), Richtree Marche, Crema.

[Food Tourist]

Also Stampede Bison Grill in Parkdale and other burger places like W Burger Bar.

[aser]

Most of the Chinese malls will have fresh brewed iced tea, brewed hk style. It will be sweetened w/ syrup.

[Bigtigger]

Starbucks has freshly brewed iced tea, both black and a fruit flavour, with or without added lemonade - imho one of the few relative bargains at that generally overpriced establishment !

[OTFOODIE]

While the Ice Tea at Starbucks is not bad and not as overpriced as most of their drinks, it is not fresh. It is brewed in large containers at double-strength well in advance and its around at room temperature. When a customer orders it, they mix this with equal parts water add the ice and shake it. It's cold and refreshing, but clearly lacks the crisp taste that comes from being freshly brewed. Furthermore, I cannot understand having ice tea on the menu - or hot tea, for that matter - and not having lemon available. Starbucks does have Ice Tea Lemonade, but that's a completely different drink.

At some Second Cup stores, I've bought a regular tea with lemon and asked for a large glass of ice and made my own. Much better than what they serve at Starbucks. However, since Second Cups are franchises, not all franchise owners will do this.

[OTFOODIE]

And back to the original topic - iced tea in restaurants - I have often found that many restaurants will allow you to order tea with lemon and bring you a big glass of ice to make your own. Some will say no, we have iced tea, the pre-made ones, but when I say I drink it unsweetened, many to agree to my request.

[phoenikia]

Thanks for the idea OTFOODIE. I hadn't thought of doing that. Which moderate to upscale restaurants have led you make your own Iced Tea?

[OTFOODIE]

It such a simple request, I would expect any moderate to upscale restaurant would be willing to do it.

[julesrules]

I have not been to the Queen West location of Niche, but the defunct Danforth location served excellent iced tea - you chose your own tea and they brewed it then iced it.

[pinstripeprincess]

i just realized that you were asking about restaurants rather than say cafes... so one option that does spring to mind is stockyards bbq. i mean it's almost a necessity to have on their menu because it is bbq but they're tasty enough on their own.

rather than lemonade they do a mint infused limeade (nice mint kick and tartness with light sweetness in perfect balance.. some pulp for good measure!) and a light gingery iced tea (again with very light sweetness, this is definitely not sweet tea) though i think the next time i'm in i might suggest a stronger tea flavour/astringency as i think it could get overpowered by the smoked meat. both great!

[phoenikia]

Thanks for the suggestion, pinstripeprincess!

[cubmike74]

For freshly squeezed lemonade try Fresh - Juice for Life. It tastes a bit different from what you might expect from lemonade, but it's bright, refreshing and tastes intensely of lemons.

Chitpotle at Yonge and Dundas serves unsweetened iced tea, just like they do it in the states - in a seperate container next to the fountain drinks. I'm a huge fan of unsweetened iced tea, but it's tough to find up here.

[julesrules]

Never noticed the "nonsweet" tea at Chipotles, thanks!

[maple99]

I haven't been in a while but I believe Over Easy on Bloor across from the ROM has both.

[Food Tourist]

Richard at Chasers in Mimico is making a great kiwi limeade now (take-out only). Also saw ready to go bottles of passion lemonade in the fridge.

He's supplying lime bar mix for Barchef, too.

[acd123]

The freshly squeezed lemonade at Jet Fuel on Parliament is very good. Not as good as mine, but still very good :-)

[phoenikia]

Bumping this thread- has anyone found any new sources for freshly squeezed lemonade or freshly brewed ice tea?

[TorontoJo]

The Fish Store on College has a sign that say they make freshly squeezed lemonade. I haven't tried it yet, so can't vouch for it. But thems is some damn tasty fish sandwiches, so it's probably worth a visit to scope out the lemonade. :)

[millygirl]

The Rooster on Broadview serves a wonderful raspberry iced tea. It's always a struggle for me these days, which to order, latte or iced tea. Had one yesterday in fact.

[pescatarian]

They also have good fresh lemonade.

The Green Earth Restaurant at Broadview and Gerrard also has a nice fresh lemonade. The first time I had it, it was less sweet, but for some reason, the second time she was a bit heavy on the sugar. I would ask next time to keep it less sweet, but it's good.

[phoenikia]

Great- thank for all these new places to add to my list!

Look fwd do trying them out over the next couple months!

[fickle]

How about a limeade? Stockyards makes their own, very refreshing, not too tart. Little Nicky's (queen & peter) had homemade raspberry lemonade on their menu that might be interesting. Haven't tried it yet but will when I return for their yummy mini donuts.

[phoenikia]

Limeade works ;-)
thanks for the recs, fickle!

[fickle]

Had a really good mint limeade at Tabule this afternoon, tasted just like a mojito. Another one for your list!

[phoenikia]

Oh cool. Have been meaning to return to Tabule, gives me one more reason!

[jnine]

The Fish Store lemonade is perfect with their sandwiches.

I also love Stockyards mint limeade with some meaty bbq.

[jayzie1]

The juice bar at St. Lawrence Market (lower level) sells freshly squeezed lemonade available in various sizes to take home.

Majesteas in Leslieville (Queen & Carlaw) also sells fresh iced tea.

[phoenikia]

Thanks! Have been to the juice bar at St.Lawrence, but hadn't heard about Majesteas!

[num nums]

If you like your lemonade tart, School in Liberty Village is nice.

[Granadilla]

I second School - that is the best lemonade I have had in the city. They also make it with vodka!

Also Aroma Cafe (several locations in the GTA) has a minty/lemon ice-y slush drink which is delicious!

[phoenikia]

Thanks for mentioning the minty/lemony slush at Aroma- will have to check that out!