Fresh Brewed Ice Tea Recipe

Boil Water & Steep

Bring 8 cups of water to a rolling boil in a kettle or large pot. Place 6 black tea bags (or 6 teaspoons loose-leaf tea in an infuser) into a heatproof pitcher or large heatproof container. Pour the boiling water directly over the tea, ensuring all bags are fully submerged.

Allow the tea to steep for 5 to 7 minutes for a bright, full-bodied iced tea. Do not steep more than 8 minutes to avoid excessive bitterness. If you prefer a stronger brew, steep up to 8 minutes; for a lighter brew, steep 3 to 4 minutes.

After steeping, remove and discard the tea bags or remove the infuser. If any loose leaves escaped, strain the tea through a fine mesh sieve into a clean container or pitcher.

Let the concentrated tea cool at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before proceeding, or place the pitcher in an ice bath for 5–10 minutes to speed cooling.

Make Simple Syrup

If you want sweetened iced tea, combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar fully dissolves and the liquid is clear. Do not boil vigorously. Remove from heat and let the simple syrup cool to room temperature. (You can also use honey, agave, or make a lighter syrup with 1/2 cup sugar to 1 cup water—adjust sweetness to taste.)

Stir the cooled simple syrup into the warm or cooled tea to taste. Start with 1/2 cup syrup for a lightly sweet tea and add more in 1/4-cup increments until desired sweetness is reached. If you omitted the syrup, skip this step.

Dilute & Chill

If the brewed tea is concentrated, add up to 6 cups cold water to the pitcher to reach desired strength. Taste and adjust with more water or syrup as needed. Chill the tea in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour until cold.

Prepare Glasses

Fill glasses with ice cubes (about 1 cup per serving). Add fresh lemon juice—about 1 tablespoon per 8-oz serving (the recipe uses 1/2 cup total for the batch). Stir the tea before pouring to ensure even sweetness and flavor distribution.

Pour the chilled iced tea over ice in each glass. Garnish each glass with a slice of lemon and a mint sprig. Serve immediately. Leftover iced tea will keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; stir before serving as flavors may settle.