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Ingredients
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Tea & Water
Sweetener (optional)
Citrus & Garnish (optional)
Method
Brew Tea
Steep the tea
Remove water from heat and add 4 tablespoons of black tea (use 4 tea bags or about 4 tbs loose leaf in a tea infuser). Cover and steep for 4–6 minutes depending on desired strength (4 minutes for lighter, 6 for stronger).
Remove tea leaves
Remove tea bags or strain out loose leaves, pressing gently to extract liquid without pressing bitter tannins.
Sweeten while warm (optional)
If using granulated sugar, stir in 3 tablespoons sugar into the hot tea until dissolved. Alternatively, stir in an equal-volume simple syrup or honey to taste. Adjust sweetness to preference.
Cool & Assemble
Cool the concentrate
Let the brewed tea cool at room temperature for 20–30 minutes, then place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes until chilled. If you need iced tea faster, place the covered pitcher in an ice bath to speed cooling.
Dilute and adjust
Once chilled, taste the concentrate. If it is too strong, dilute with up to 4 cups cold filtered water to reach desired strength. Stir to combine.
Serve
Fill serving glasses with ice (about 1 cup ice per glass). Pour iced tea over ice. Garnish with lemon slices and mint sprigs as desired.
Storage
Store any leftover iced tea in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. If separated, stir before serving.