Homemade Iced Tea Recipe

Bring water to a boil

In a medium saucepan or kettle, bring 6 cups of water to a rolling boil over high heat.

Steep the tea

Place 6 black tea bags (or an equivalent amount of loose-leaf tea in an infuser) into a heatproof pitcher. Pour the boiling water over the tea bags, making sure they are fully submerged. Let the tea steep for 5 minutes for a bright flavor or up to 7 minutes for a stronger brew. Avoid steeping longer than 8 minutes to prevent excessive bitterness.

Remove tea bags

After steeping, remove the tea bags or strain out the leaves, gently pressing the bags against the pitcher side with a spoon to extract concentrated flavor (do not squeeze too hard to avoid bitterness).

Make simple syrup (if using)

If you want sweetened iced tea, combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup hot water in a heatproof container or small saucepan. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved to create a simple syrup. Allow the syrup to cool slightly (3–5 minutes). If you prefer a lighter sweetness, start with 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup hot water instead.

Add sweetener to tea

Stir the prepared simple syrup into the hot or warm brewed tea until fully incorporated. Adding the syrup while the tea is still warm helps it distribute evenly. Taste and adjust sweetness as desired.

Dilute the concentrate: Add 4 cups of cold water to the brewed tea (and dissolved sweetener, if used). This yields a balanced strength; adjust with more or less cold water to suit taste.

Cool to room temperature: Let the mixed tea cool on the counter for 15–20 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour to chill thoroughly. For faster cooling, transfer the tea to an ice-filled container, but account for meltwater when adjusting final strength.

Serve: Fill glasses with ice (about 3 cups total across servings). Pour the chilled tea over ice. Garnish each glass with a slice of fresh lemon and 2–3 mint leaves if desired. Stir and taste; add more simple syrup or lemon to adjust sweetness and brightness.

Storage: Store leftover iced tea in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. If the tea concentrates further or tastes strong after chilling, dilute with a little cold water before serving.