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Easy Simple Iced Tea Recipe for Perfect Refreshing Homemade Flavor

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A quick and easy iced tea recipe using simple ingredients like black tea bags, water, sugar, and lemon to create a refreshing homemade drink perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 45 black tea bags
  • 4 cups (1 liter) fresh filtered water
  • 24 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional, can substitute with honey, agave syrup, maple syrup, or coconut sugar)
  • 1 medium lemon, sliced
  • Ice cubes
  • Optional: fresh mint leaves (a few sprigs)
  • Optional: small piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced

Instructions

  1. Bring 4 cups (1 liter) of fresh water to a boil in a medium saucepan or kettle (about 5-7 minutes).
  2. Place 4-5 black tea bags into a heatproof pitcher or large jar.
  3. Pour the boiling water over the tea bags, cover or loosely place a lid on top, and steep for 5-7 minutes.
  4. Remove the tea bags carefully, squeezing gently to extract flavor but avoid bitterness.
  5. While the tea is still hot, stir in 2-4 tablespoons of granulated sugar or preferred sweetener until fully dissolved. Adjust sweetness to taste.
  6. Add a few slices of lemon and, if desired, fresh mint leaves or ginger slices. Stir gently.
  7. Let the tea cool at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour to chill. Alternatively, add ice cubes directly to cool faster but be mindful of dilution.
  8. Serve over ice cubes in glasses, garnished with a lemon wedge or mint sprig if desired. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

Do not over-steep tea bags to avoid bitterness; steep for 5-7 minutes. Sweeten while tea is hot for best sugar dissolution. Cool at room temperature before refrigerating to prevent cloudiness. Experiment with fresh herbs or spices like mint, ginger, or cinnamon for flavor variations. Store leftover iced tea in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Avoid freezing. If tea tastes too strong or bitter, add cold water or lemon juice to balance.

Nutrition

Keywords: iced tea, homemade iced tea, refreshing drink, summer beverage, black tea, lemon iced tea, simple iced tea, easy iced tea recipe