Unsweetened Tea Recipe

1. Bring water to near-boil

Pour 6 cups of fresh cold water into a medium saucepan or kettle and heat until it reaches a rolling simmer (about 200–212°F / 93–100°C). For iced tea, you may use slightly less hot water for faster cooling, but hot water extracts flavor best.

2. Steep tea

Remove the water from heat. Add 4 unsweetened black tea bags to the hot water. Cover and let steep for 4–5 minutes for a balanced unsweetened flavor. Steep up to 6 minutes for stronger tea; avoid longer than 7 minutes to prevent bitterness.

3. Remove tea bags

After steeping, remove and discard the tea bags, gently pressing them against the side with a spoon only if you want a slightly stronger cup. Do not squeeze vigorously to avoid extracting tannic bitterness.

4. For hot unsweetened tea: Pour immediately into cups and serve as is. Offer lemon slices and mint sprigs on the side for guests to add to taste.

5. For iced unsweetened tea: Let the brewed tea cool at room temperature for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a pitcher and place in the refrigerator until chilled (about 30–45 minutes). Alternatively, pour the warm tea over a glass filled with ice (about 1 cup ice per 8–12 oz glass) to cool quickly. Add lemon slices and mint sprigs if desired.

6. Refills: Keep a prepared pitcher chilled and replenish ice and lemon/mint garnishes as needed. Unsweetened tea can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; discard if off-smelling or cloudy.