Quick & Easy Iced Tea Recipe

Want a super quick iced tea recipe that takes less than 10 minutes to make? This is it! An easy how-to recipe that makes 2 quarts of perfect iced tea every time.

What is Ice-Chilled Tea?

• The fastest way to make iced tea is to make hot tea then cool it down quickly by adding a lot of ice. This is the ice-chill method and it’s ready to drink right away.
• No need to cool down hot tea using the refrigerator, the ice does all the work.
• Makes 2 quarts, which is 8 cups.
• Easy clean up since it’s made with tea sachets.
• Cool and refreshing iced tea made in 8 minutes.

For more refreshing recipes, try Quick & Easy Lemon Iced Tea, Cold Brew Iced Tea, Peach Iced Tea from Scratch, and Sweet Tea.

Ingredient Notes

• Black tea sachets
  Any basic tea will work but for a classic iced tea, use black tea like Assam or English breakfast. Tea sachets are a lot better in quality than tea bags and easier to use than loose tea.
• Filtered water
  Better iced tea is made with good quality water so use filtered water whenever possible.
• Sugar
  The finer the sugar, the quicker it’ll dissolve. Avoid using raw sugar since they’re bigger in size.
• Ice
  I like using these smaller ice cubes since they melt faster.
• Optional garnish: and fresh mint

How to Make Iced Tea

1. Make hot tea concentrate
2. Cool down tea with ice

To make this 8 cup iced tea, you need a 2 quart pitcher with a leakproof lid that’s safe to use with boiling hot and cold temperatures. Look for borosilicate glass or a BPA-free plastic.

1. Make hot tea concentrate

Simmer water on the stovetop or use an electric kettle (set it to 190°F).

Tea Sommelier’s Tip: I don’t use boiling hot water to make iced tea since it takes longer to cool AND makes it really cloudy. I use water that’s a little under a boil.

Steep tea sachets in hot water then discard tea sachets.

I cut the paper tags off the ends of the sachets since I’m submerging the entire sachet in water.

Stir sugar into hot tea until completely dissolved.

RELATED: How to Make Cold Brew Iced Tea

2. Cool down tea with ice

Want to know how to make iced tea in 8 minutes? Ice! A lot of it.

Add ice to pitcher and close with leakproof lid. Turn it upside down 15 times.

Pour tea into cups with ice.

RELATED: Raspberry Iced Tea from Scratch

Serving Suggestions

Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves.

If you want to fancy it up a bit, add a bit of sparkling water to give it a little fizz.

Notes & Tips

• Don’t steep tea for more than 5 minutes. The longer you brew the tea, the more astringent and bitter it’ll get.
• If you don’t want a stronger tea, use 6 tea sachets instead of 5.
• Sugar can be adjusted to taste. I like 2 tablespoons of sugar but if you like a sweeter tea, go with 3 or 4 tablespoons.
• Use any type of sugar you like. The smaller the sugar, the faster it’ll dissolve in the hot tea.

Storage Tips

• Iced tea can be kept in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 4 days.
• If the drink becomes cloudy in the refrigerator and it has been less than 4 days, it’s still safe to drink.
• If you want to clear up the cloudiness, pour a little hot water.

Questions You May Have

More Iced Tea Recipes

• Iced Lavender Black Tea
• Decadent Ice-Chilled Coffee
• Easy Sweet Tea
• Arnold Palmer (Iced Tea and Lemonade)
• Earl Grey Iced Tea with Cream Froth