Gallon Of Tea Recipe

Boil water and steep

Bring 12 cups of water to a rolling boil in a kettle or large pot. Place 8 black tea bags (or the equivalent amount of loose leaf — roughly 8 tablespoons) into a heatproof pitcher or container that holds at least 1 gallon. Pour the boiling water over the tea bags/leaf, fully submerging them.

Cover the pitcher or container and allow the tea to steep for 7 to 10 minutes for a standard-strength black tea. For a stronger brew (robust iced-tea flavor), steep 10 to 12 minutes. Avoid steeping longer than 12–15 minutes to prevent excessive bitterness.

After steeping, remove the tea bags (do not squeeze aggressively; gently press to extract a little tea if desired) or strain out the loose leaf using a fine mesh strainer.

Prepare simple syrup-style sweetener

If making sweet tea, combine 1 cup granulated sugar with 1 cup hot water in a heatproof measuring cup or small saucepan. Stir until the sugar fully dissolves to create a simple syrup. Let it cool slightly.

While the brewed tea is still warm (but not boiling), stir in the simple syrup until fully incorporated. Taste and adjust: for less sweetness, start with 3/4 cup sugar dissolved in 3/4 cup hot water; for sweeter tea, add up to 1 1/4 cups sugar. If leaving unsweetened, skip this step.

If you like a bright citrus note, stir in 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice while the tea is still slightly warm so it blends evenly. This is optional and helps balance sweetness.

Transfer the brewed (and sweetened, if used) tea into a 1-gallon container or jug. Add 8 cups of ice to chill quickly, or refrigerate uncovered until cold (2–3 hours). If using ice to chill, expect some dilution; you can compensate by making the brew slightly stronger if desired.

Stir gently before serving. Serve over additional ice in glasses and garnish each glass with a mint sprig or lemon wedge if desired.

Store any leftover tea refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 4–5 days. If sweetened, stir before serving as separation can occur.