Homemade Iced Tea
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Homemade Iced Tea
This homemade iced tea is clean, refreshing, and free of the bitterness that ruins most batches. The secret is steeping the tea off the heat for the right amount of time, then never squeezing the bags, which is what releases bitter tannins. Sweeten to taste while the tea is still warm so the sugar dissolves fully. This recipe makes about two quarts.
Ingredients
- 8 cups water, divided
- 6 black tea bags
- 1/3 cup sugar, optional, to taste
- Ice, for serving
- Lemon slices and fresh mint, for serving
Directions
- Bring 4 cups of the water to a boil, then remove from the heat.
- Add the tea bags and steep for 5 minutes. Do not steep longer or squeeze the bags, which makes the tea bitter.
- Remove the tea bags. Stir in the sugar while the tea is warm, if using, until dissolved.
- Pour in the remaining 4 cups cold water to cool the tea down.
- Chill, then serve over ice with lemon and mint.
Tips and variations
- Never squeeze the tea bags. That is the single biggest cause of bitter iced tea.
- Sweeten while the tea is warm so the sugar dissolves instead of settling at the bottom.
- For sun-free cold brew, steep the bags in cold water in the fridge for 8 hours. It comes out smooth and never bitter.
- Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Add the ice only when you pour so it does not water down.
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Common questions
- Why is my iced tea bitter
- Usually from steeping too long or squeezing the tea bags. Steep just 5 minutes and lift the bags out without pressing them.
- How long does iced tea keep
- Stored covered in the fridge, it stays fresh for up to 3 days. After that it can turn cloudy and flat.
- How do I make cold brew iced tea
- Put the tea bags in cold water and refrigerate 8 hours, then remove them. Cold brewing makes a smooth tea that is never bitter.
- Can I make it unsweetened
- Yes. Just leave out the sugar. You can serve simple syrup on the side so each glass is sweetened to taste.
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