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Ingredients
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Tea Concentrate
Dilution & Serving
Method
Tea Concentrate
- 1
- 2
Steep tea
Add 6 black tea bags (or an equivalent amount of loose black tea in an infuser) to the hot water. Cover the pot or vessel to retain heat and steep for 4–6 minutes for a standard-strength unsweetened tea. For a slightly stronger iced tea, steep up to 7 minutes; avoid longer to prevent bitterness.
- 3
Remove tea leaves/bags and cool
Remove and discard the tea bags or strain out loose leaf tea. Let the brewed tea cool at room temperature for 15–20 minutes, then place in the refrigerator or an ice bath to cool more quickly until chilled (about 30 minutes in fridge).
Dilution & Serving
- 4
Combine and dilute
In a pitcher, combine the chilled tea concentrate with 4 cups of cold water. Taste and adjust dilution: if you prefer a stronger flavor, use less dilution (add 3 cups cold water); for milder, add the full 4 cups or a bit more. Stir to combine.
- 5
Serve over ice
Fill serving glasses with ice (about 1/2 to 1 cup ice per 8-ounce glass). Pour the diluted tea over the ice. Garnish each glass with a lemon slice and a mint sprig if desired.
- 6
Storage
Store any leftover iced tea covered in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Stir or shake gently before serving if separation or a change in flavor occurs.
