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Ingredients
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Tea Base
Sweetener (Adjust or omit)
Citrus (for lemonade option or to brighten tea)
Finish & Serve
Method
Tea Base
Steep tea
Remove from heat. Add 6 black tea bags (or 6 teaspoons loose tea in an infuser) to the hot water. Cover and steep 5 minutes for a bright tea or 7–8 minutes for a stronger brew. Do not over-steep more than 8 minutes to avoid bitterness.
Remove tea
Remove tea bags or strain loose leaves. Press gently on tea bags with a spoon to extract flavor but avoid squeezing too hard (to limit bitterness).
Cool slightly
Let the brewed tea cool for 10–15 minutes at room temperature before proceeding to sweeten or chill.
Sweetener (Adjust or omit)
Sweeten hot (recommended)
If using granulated sugar, while the tea is still warm combine 3 tablespoons sugar and stir until fully dissolved. If using simple syrup, add 1 cup (or to taste) after the tea has cooled slightly and stir to combine. For honey, add 2–3 tablespoons to the warm tea and mix until dissolved.
Taste and adjust
Taste the tea and add more sweetener if desired; remember chilling dulls sweetness slightly so aim a touch sweeter than you want the final drink.
Citrus (for lemonade option or to brighten tea)
Lemonade (alternate: lemonade instead of tea)
For a lemonade option instead of iced tea, combine 1 cup fresh lemon juice with 1 cup simple syrup and 6 cups cold water. Stir until combined, then proceed to finish and serve. (If making lemonade, skip the Tea Base steps.)
Add lemon to tea
If making lemon-flavored iced tea, stir in 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice to the cooled sweetened tea. Start with 1/4 cup if you prefer milder citrus and adjust to taste.
Garnish preparation
Prepare lemon slices and optional orange/lime slices for garnish.
Finish & Serve
Chill
Place the sweetened and flavored tea in the refrigerator and chill at least 1–2 hours until cold. For faster cooling, fill a pitcher with ice and pour the warm tea over the ice, then top up with cold water; this will both chill and dilute to proper strength.
Adjust dilution
If the tea tastes too strong after chilling or pouring over ice, add up to 2 cups cold water to adjust strength.
Storage
Store leftover iced tea covered in the refrigerator up to 3–4 days. Stir before serving; add fresh lemon or sweetener if flavor has faded.