Classic Iced Tea
📜 Collection: GailCollection | ✍️ Attribution: Unknown | 📂 Category: Beverages A simple, classic recipe for brewing perfect iced tea. This method starts with freshly boiled water poured over tea bags to create a strong concentrate, which is then sweetened and served over ice.
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Inactive / Chill Time | Yield / Servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 mins | 5 mins | 3-5 mins | 4 servings |
🔪 Key Equipment
- Kettle
- Saucepan
- Heatproof pitcher
- Serving glasses
- Spoon
Ingredients
| Measurements | Ingredients | Prep / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 cups (1 quart) | Cold Water | Cold |
| 3 family-size | Tea Bags | Or 6-8 regular black tea bags |
| ½ to ¾ cup | Sugar | To taste |
| 1 | Lemon | For juice and slices |
| Lots | Ice | For serving |
Instructions
Step 1: Boil and Steep
- In a kettle or saucepan, bring the 4 cups (1 quart) cold water to a full, rolling boil.
- Place the 3 family-size tea bags in a heatproof pitcher. Pour the boiling cold water over the tea bags.
- Let the tea steep for 3-5 minutes until it reaches a good dark color and fragrant aroma. Be careful not to steep for too long, or the tea may become bitter.
Step 2: Sweeten and Serve
- Remove and discard the tea bags.
- While the tea is still hot, add the ½ to ¾ cup sugar and stir until it is completely dissolved.
- Fill serving glasses completely full of lots of ice.
- Pour the hot, sweetened tea directly over the ice to flash-chill it.
- Add a squeeze of 1 lemon juice to each glass and garnish with a lemon slice. Serve immediately while ice cold.
💡 Make-Ahead & Storage: Store the brewed and sweetened tea concentrate in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before serving over fresh ice.
Original Recipe Scan
