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A tall, beautiful glass of crystal-clear iced tea from a homemade iced tea recipe, glistening with condensation and garnished with a lemon wheel and mint.

iced tea recipe

recipessoft.com
Tired of bitter, cloudy tea? This ultimate iced tea recipe guarantees a perfect, crystal-clear brew. Get our step-by-step guide and pro secrets
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course beverage, smoothie
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 70 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups (32 oz) water
  • 4 tea bags (black tea) or 4 teaspoons loose leaf black tea
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
  • Ice cubes
  • Fresh lemon slices (optional)
  • Fresh mint leaves (optional, for garnish)

Instructions
 

  • Boil the water: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil over high heat.
  • Steep the tea: Remove the water from heat and immediately add the tea bags or loose tea. Let steep for 3-5 minutes for optimal flavor without bitterness.
  • Add sweetener: While the tea is still hot, stir in the sugar until completely dissolved. This ensures even sweetening throughout the beverage.
  • Remove tea bags: Take out the tea bags or strain the loose tea leaves. Do not squeeze the tea bags as this can release bitter compounds.
  • Cool the tea: Allow the sweetened tea to cool to room temperature, approximately 30 minutes.
  • Serve over ice: Fill tall glasses with ice cubes and pour the cooled tea over the ice.
  • Garnish and serve: Add fresh lemon slices and mint leaves if desired. Serve immediately for best taste.
Keyword barbecue, cold drink, refreshing,, southern, summer