Unsweetened Iced Tea Recipe

Time1h 30m

Serves6

Make Unsweetened Iced Tea 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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1
Bring water to a boil
Pour 8 cups of cold water into a kettle or large pot and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
2
Steep the tea
Remove the water from heat. Add 6 black tea bags (or equivalent loose tea in an infuser) to the hot water. Cover the pot or kettle and steep for 5 minutes for a clear, brisk tea; steep 6–8 minutes for a stronger, more robust flavor. Avoid steeping more than 10 minutes to prevent excessive bitterness.
3
Strain and cool
Remove the tea bags or strain out loose leaves, gently pressing the bags against the side of the pot with a spoon to extract liquid but not squeeze bitter tannins. Transfer the brewed tea to a heatproof pitcher and let it cool at room temperature for 15–20 minutes.

4
Dilute the concentrate (optional)
If you prefer a milder unsweetened tea, add up to 4 cups cold water to the brewed tea. Taste and adjust: for full strength, add no water; for lighter strength, add 2–4 cups. Stir gently to combine.
5
Chill
Refrigerate the pitcher until well chilled, about 1 hour. If you need tea immediately, fill a large pitcher halfway with ice and pour the warm tea over the ice to cool quickly (this will dilute the tea slightly).
6
Serve
Fill glasses with ice cubes. Pour the chilled tea over ice. Garnish each glass with a lemon slice and a sprig of mint if desired. Serve immediately.
7
Storage
Store leftover unsweetened iced tea covered in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Stir or gently shake before serving if separation occurs.