Vanilla Iced Tea Recipe

Time40m

Serves6

Make Vanilla Iced Tea Recipe in just 40m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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1
Boil water
Bring 6 cups of fresh, filtered water to a rolling boil in a medium saucepan or kettle.
2
Steep tea
Remove from heat and add 4 black tea bags. Cover and let steep 5 minutes for a robust flavor (adjust 4–7 minutes to taste). Do not over-steep to avoid bitterness.
3
Cool and remove bags
After steeping, remove the tea bags, gently pressing them against the side with a spoon to extract flavor without squeezing bitter tannins. Let the brewed tea cool 10–15 minutes at room temperature before refrigerating.

4
Combine sugar and water
In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water. If using a vanilla bean, split it lengthwise and scrape seeds into the saucepan, then add the pod as well.
5
Simmer syrup
Warm over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Once dissolved, lower heat and simmer gently 4–6 minutes until slightly thickened. Do not boil vigorously. Remove from heat.
6
Add vanilla
Stir in 2 tsp pure vanilla extract off the heat. If you used a vanilla bean pod, let the syrup steep with the pod as it cools for extra flavor, then remove the pod before storing.
7
Cool syrup
Let syrup cool to room temperature. Transfer to a jar and refrigerate — syrup will keep up to 2 weeks.

8
Sweeten tea
Once the tea is chilled (or cooled to room temp), taste and add vanilla syrup to sweeten. Start with 2–3 tablespoons syrup per 2 cups of tea and adjust to preference. Stir until combined.
9
Serve over ice
Fill glasses with ice (about 1 cup ice per 8 oz glass). Pour sweetened tea over the ice. Garnish with a thin lemon slice and a mint sprig if desired.
10
Storage
Store leftover unsweetened brewed tea in the refrigerator up to 3–4 days. Store vanilla syrup separately up to 2 weeks. Combine just before serving for best flavor.