Ice Tea Recipe

Time1h 30m

Serves6

Refreshing and crisp tea brewed with a hint of sweetness, perfect for quenching your thirst on a hot day.

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Ingredients

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1
Boil water
Bring 8 cups of fresh cold water to a rolling boil in a kettle or on the stove.
2
Steep tea
Place 4 black tea bags (or equivalent loose-leaf in an infuser) into a heatproof pitcher. Pour the 8 cups of boiling water over the tea. Let steep 5 minutes for regular strength or up to 7 minutes for a stronger brew. Avoid steeping longer than 7 minutes to prevent bitterness.
3
Remove tea
Remove the tea bags or strain out the loose leaf after steeping. If you want a brighter, slightly citrus-forward profile, add 4 lemon slices to the hot tea now and let sit 2–3 minutes, then remove the slices.

4
Make simple syrup-style sweetener
In a small heatproof cup or bowl, combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 1/4 cup hot water. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved (this creates a concentrated syrup that will blend easily into the iced tea). Taste and adjust sweetness — add more sugar dissolved in a tablespoon or two of hot water if you prefer sweeter tea.
5
Combine sweetener with tea
While the brewed tea is still warm, stir in the dissolved sugar mixture until evenly incorporated. Mixing while warm ensures even distribution without graininess.

6
Cool to room temperature
Allow the sweetened tea to cool to room temperature (about 20–30 minutes). To speed cooling, place the pitcher in an ice bath in the sink and gently swirl for 5–10 minutes.
7
Refrigerate
Once cooled, cover and refrigerate the tea for at least 1 hour until cold. For quickest service, pour tea directly over ice but note that excessive ice will dilute the flavor.
8
Serve
Fill glasses with about 3/4 cup ice cubes (or to taste). Pour chilled tea over the ice. Garnish each glass with a lemon wedge and a sprig of fresh mint if using. Stir before drinking.
9
Make-ahead & storage
Store leftover iced tea covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If tea tastes flat after refrigeration, brighten with a squeeze of fresh lemon or a few fresh mint leaves before serving.