Nothing beats homemade iced tea on a hot day. It’s the chill of the ice, the spicy sweetness of the tea, and the tart bite of the lemons. Best enjoyed lounging by the pool, sipping at the beach, and cooling off under a shady tree, this drink is poetry in beverage form. Make it at home to save some cash and refresh your drink selection.
Most recipes only have a few ingredients and have less sugar, and have no preservatives that powdered iced teas sell at grocery stores. Plus, you know what you put in your iced tea fix. The beauty of cold tea is the endless ways to customize the recipe by adding different fruits and teas to your mixture. While there is great potential for getting fancy with your drink, here is a more traditional recipe to help you get started.
If you don’t have teabags for iced tea, you can also use loose tea leaves. Use approximately 1 tablespoon of loose tea per 5 to 6 ounces of hot water and let it steep for up to 10 minutes. Strain the tea leaves. When you drink it cold, it reduces the tannin pucker, and ice will dilute the bitter taste.
Traditional Homemade Iced Tea Recipe
Total time to make: 30 minutes
Serves 8
INGREDIENTS
8 tea bags of your preferred good-quality black tea
1 medium lemon or orange
8 cups simmering water
Ice
Simple syrup
PROCEDURE
- Place the tea bags in a large heatproof glass pitcher. Use a vegetable peeler to strip the peel from the lemon or orange. Try to avoid as much of the white pit as possible, and add the peel to the pitcher.
- Pour the simmering water into the pitcher and let it steep for at least 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and discard them. Refrigerate the tea until cool.
- To serve, fill iced tea glasses with ice and pour the tea over the ice. Sweeten with simple syrup to your desired taste.
- Garnish with lemon or orange slices. Enjoy!
Simple Syrup Recipe
For the uninitiated, simple syrup is made from 1 cup white sugar and 1 cup of water. Combine both in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves. Allow it to cool.
This recipe is in no way a substitute for the traditional Southern Iced Tea. It’s just a basic homemade iced tea recipe that anyone can also make in their home. It’s fun, fast, and aesthetically pleasing when served with fruit and garnishes.
If you’d like, experiment with different flavors like basil and raspberries. Cherries and limes can also add a nice pop to your next glass. Alternatively, throw in a pinch of baking soda to cut the bitterness if your cold tea pucker-worthy. There is no end to what you can do with this beverage.
Would you try making this iced tea for the summer? Tell us about it in the comments below.
Lindsey is a freelance writer in the personal finance and lifestyle sphere. When she’s not at her laptop, she is likely teaching herself a new hobby with a high potential for injury – such as skiing or cooking.
