Iced Tea Recipe
Recipe information
Make Iced Tea in just 1h 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
Tea Base
Sweetener (optional)
Finish & Serving
Tea Base
1. Bring water to a boil
Pour 8 cups of cold water into a kettle or large saucepan and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
2. Steep the tea
Remove the boiling water from heat. Add 6 black tea bags (or equivalent loose leaf in an infuser). Cover and let steep for 5 minutes for a brisk flavor or up to 7 minutes for a stronger brew. Avoid more than 8 minutes to prevent excessive bitterness.
3. Remove tea bags
After steeping, remove and discard the tea bags (or remove the infuser). Gently press tea bags against the side with a spoon to extract flavor if desired, but avoid over-pressing which can increase bitterness.
Sweetener (optional)
4. Prepare simple syrup (if sweetening)
If you want sweetened iced tea, combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup hot water in a heatproof container. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved to make a concentrated syrup. (For lighter sweetness, use 3/4 cup sugar or reduce to taste.)
5. Sweeten the tea
Stir the prepared simple syrup into the hot brewed tea until fully incorporated. Taste and adjust sweetness by adding more syrup or plain sugar dissolved in a little hot water.
Finish & Serving
6. Add lemon and dilute
While the tea is still warm, stir in 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice. If the concentrate is too strong for your preference, add up to 2 cups cold water to reach desired strength and volume. Taste and adjust lemon or sweetness.
7. Chill
Allow the tea to cool to room temperature (about 20–30 minutes), then transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour, or until cold. For faster chilling, pour tea into a shallow container to increase surface area, or add ice (note: ice will dilute the tea).
8. Serve over ice
Fill glasses with ice (about 1 cup ice per glass). Pour chilled tea over the ice, garnish with lemon slices and a mint sprig if desired. Stir before drinking. Serve immediately.
9. Storage
Store any leftover iced tea in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Stir before serving. If tea tastes flat after storing, brighten with a squeeze of fresh lemon or a small splash of simple syrup.
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