Gallon Of Iced Tea Recipe

Boil water

Bring 16 cups (1 gallon) of water to a rolling boil in a large pot or kettle.

Steep tea

Remove from heat. Add 8 black tea bags (or equivalent loose leaf in an infuser) to the hot water. Cover and steep for 5 minutes for a medium-strength tea, 7 minutes for stronger tea. Avoid steeping longer than 10 minutes to prevent excessive bitterness.

Remove tea

Lift out and discard the tea bags (or remove the infuser). If using loose leaf without an infuser, strain the tea through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a heatproof container.

Dissolve granulated sugar or honey (if using)

While the brewed tea is still hot, stir in 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (and/or 2 tablespoons honey if using). Stir until fully dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness: add up to 1 additional tablespoon sugar or honey if desired.

Use simple syrup alternative

If using simple syrup (a 1:1 syrup of sugar to water), stir in 1 cup of syrup into the brewed tea to reach a pleasantly sweet iced tea. Reduce syrup if you prefer less sweet. Simple syrup blends more easily when tea is cold.

Add lemon

Roll 2 lemons firmly on the counter to loosen juices. Zest one lemon lightly if you want a lemony aroma (optional). Cut both lemons in half and squeeze the juice into the warm tea; strain out seeds. This will add about 1/4 to 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (adjust to taste).

Chill the tea

Allow the sweetened, lemoned tea to cool at room temperature for 15–20 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator. Chill until cold, about 2 hours, or pour over ice immediately for quick service (tea will dilute as ice melts).

Prepare serving

Fill a 1-gallon pitcher or beverage dispenser with 8 cups of ice (or place ice in individual glasses). If you prefer less dilution, use ice in glasses only and chill the pitcher without ice.

Assemble

Pour the chilled tea into the ice-filled pitcher or into glasses filled with ice. Stir gently to combine. Taste one serving and adjust sweetness or lemon if needed (add a splash of simple syrup or a squeeze of lemon).

Garnish

Garnish each glass with a lemon slice and optionally a fresh mint sprig. Reserve extra lemon slices in the pitcher for appearance.

Storage

Store leftover iced tea in the refrigerator covered for up to 3–4 days. If it tastes flat after sitting, brighten it with a splash of fresh lemon juice and/or a small amount of simple syrup before serving.