Restaurants›Bentley’s on Bedford›Iced Tea, Sweet Or Unsweet Recipe

Iced Tea, Sweet Or Unsweet Recipe

Inspired by Bentley’s on Bedford
Time1h 30m
Serves8

Make Iced Tea, Sweet Or Unsweet Recipe in just 1h 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Tea Base

Sweetening (for sweet iced tea)

Optional flavorings & finishing

Method

Tea Base

1

Bring water to a boil

Pour 8 cups of cold water into a kettle or medium saucepan and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.

2

Steep tea

Remove the water from heat. Add 6 black tea bags (or the equivalent loose tea in an infuser). Cover and let steep for 5 to 7 minutes for a robust flavor; steep 3 to 4 minutes for a lighter flavor. Avoid steeping more than 8 minutes to prevent bitterness.

3

Remove tea leaves/bags

Remove tea bags or strain out loose tea. Gently press the bags against the side of the pot with a spoon to extract extra flavor if desired, then discard the bags/tea leaves.

4

Cool slightly

Allow the hot tea to cool for 10 to 15 minutes at room temperature before proceeding with sweetening or refrigeration. This prevents dilution from too much immediate ice and avoids cracking glass pitchers.

Sweetening (for sweet iced tea)

5

Make simple syrup from sugar

While the tea is cooling, combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup hot water in a heatproof measuring cup or small saucepan. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved to create a simple syrup. Let it cool a few minutes.

6

Sweeten the tea

If you want sweet iced tea, stir the simple syrup into the warm (not piping hot) tea until fully incorporated. Taste and adjust: add up to 1/2 cup more syrup (dissolved sugar) for a sweeter result, or use less for mildly sweet.

7

Unsweetened option

If you prefer unsweetened tea, skip the simple syrup step and proceed directly to cooling and chilling.

Chill & Serve

8

Chill the tea

Transfer the tea to a pitcher (if it isn't already). Refrigerate uncovered until thoroughly chilled, about 1 to 2 hours. For faster chilling, place the pitcher in an ice bath for 15–20 minutes or pour the tea over a pitcher half-full of ice and then add more ice to taste.

9

Add finishing touches

When ready to serve, fill glasses with ice. Pour the chilled sweet or unsweet tea over ice. Garnish each glass with a lemon slice and a sprig of mint if desired. Stir before drinking.

10

Storage

Store leftover tea, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. If stored sweetened, stir gently before serving as separation can occur.