Updated: 05/12/2020

How to Make Iced Tea

Iced tea is one of the most refreshing, budget-friendly teas you can make. In the UK, most people prefer a delicious cup on a hot day. It is relatively easy to make and store, and gets consumed very quickly. With a little tea, sweetener or sugar, and water, it is possible to relax on a hot summer day. Iced teas are usually the drink of choice for sweaty, humid days. 

Most people prefer iced teas when the summer heat is unbearable, and you need to reduce body temperature. Since tea has excellent health benefits, iced tea is a fantastic antioxidant. To make a perfect jug or pitcher of iced tea, you need a few necessary ingredients and a mini fridge. Most people also prefer refilling ice cubes in the iced tea as the day goes on. For this purpose, you may also like using a versatile ice maker.

Which Tea should be Used?

Ideally, iced teas can be made from all tea types and varieties. However, a few British favourites are Earl Grey, Chamomile, Lemon Verbena, Lady Grey, and Green Tea. Some people also prefer using fruity teas for iced tea pitchers like strawberry and mango teas. These also taste lovely when consumed cold. Other favourites include peppermint, mint, lavender, and peach teas. 

Children and teenagers also have favourites when it comes to the flavour of their iced teas. Some like ginger and rhubarb, while many children enjoy orange-infused teas, raspberry teas, or jelly flavoured teas. Some adults also like experimenting with different flavour profiles and opt for cucumber and apple, or litchi and rose, or just honey and melon tea. 

The trick to an excellent iced tea is making it in hot or boiling water, allowing the tea to infuse, and then chilling it completely. When calculating the tea bag to water ratio, a good average is 4 strong tea bags to 1 litre of water. If you prefer a mild tea, then 3 teabags to a litre of water should be perfect. For a more potent brew, you can go as high as 5 teabags to a litre of water. When brewing strong teas, you should keep tasting frequently, and remove the tea bags before the water becomes extremely bitter.

How to Make Iced Tea

When making any tea, iced or hot, getting the right measurement of ingredients is crucial. Before starting on preparing the tea, you should get all the ingredients ready, and should measure them to their exact quantities.

There are several useful recipes available, and many iced tea recipes are passed down through generations. Most children learn how to make teas, coffees, and other beverages like lemonade from their parents. If you have a favourite iced tea recipe, be sure to let us know. 

We will be brewing a basic summer special iced tea. If you want, you can reduce or increase the quantities of the lemons and oranges to fit your palate. 

Summer Special Iced Tea

Ingredients Needed:

4 tea bags

1 litre hot/boiling water

1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup

1.5 tablespoons of fine-grain white sugar or castor sugar

2 medium-sized lemons (1 sliced for garnishing and 1 juiced for brewing)

1 medium-sized orange (sliced for garnishing)

Handful mint leaves (freshly plucked with small stems)

Ice, as needed

Tools Required:

• Large pouring jug for one to one and a half litre water
• Large ladle or mixing spoon
• Measuring spoons

Method:

1. In the large jug, pour the boiling or hot water, taking care not to let any of the water spillover. To this hot water, add the measured sugar, and honey or maple syrup. Mix thoroughly to dissolve the sugar and honey completely. 
2. Now add the tea bags to the boiling water. Add the juice of one lemon. Let the tea bags infuse into the sweet water for approximately ten to twelve minutes. 
3. Once done, remove the tea bags and allow the mixture to cool down to lukewarm. Chill the tea-infused mix in the refrigerator or mini fridge.
4. Before serving, stir in the mint, orange slices, and lemon slices. Top the jug with ice to last for a few hours. 

Serving: Pour the iced tea into tall glasses filled with ice. If required, drizzle a little extra maple syrup or honey for flavour and taste. 

Adjustments: Since some tea bags are stronger than others, it is ideal to taste the tea before chilling it and adjust the levels of water and sugar as needed. For children, you can add a little additional honey or maple syrup in the beginning, and reduce the tea bags by 1.