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4.60 from 27 votes

Quick & Easy Iced Tea

Quick and easy iced tea in less than 10 minutes using the ice chill method.
Prep Time3 minutes
Steep Time5 minutes
Total Time8 minutes
Course: Drinks
Servings: 8 cups
Author: Jee Choe

Ingredients

  • 5 cups ice + more for serving
  • 4 cups water
  • 5 black tea sachets
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • Lemon slices and mint (optional for garnish)

Instructions

  • Simmer water.
    Bring 4 cups of water to a simmer and turn off heat. Simmer water on the stovetop or use an electric kettle. Set the water temperature to 190°F when using the electric kettle.
  • Put tea sachets in pitcher and add hot water.
    Cut paper tags off the sachets and submerge the entire sachet in water.
  • Steep for 5 minutes. Discard tea sachets.
  • Stir sugar into hot tea until completely dissolved.
    Use any type of sugar you like. The smaller the sugar, the faster it'll dissolve in the hot tea.
  • Add ice to pitcher and close with leakproof lid. Shake for 15 seconds.
    You can hold both ends of the pitcher and just turn it upside down 15 times. The ice will start melting right away, cooling the hot tea.
  • Pour tea into cups with ice.
    Optional: Garnish with lemon slices or mint leaves.

Notes

  • Use a 2-quart pitcher that's safe to use with drastic temperature changes from boiling hot to ice cold. Look for borosilicate glass or a BPA-free plastic.
  • Using boiling water causes the iced tea to turn cloudy so use a lower water temperature.
  • Filtered water makes for a better tasting iced tea than tap water.

Nutrition

Calories: 12 | Carbohydrates: 3g | Sodium: 13mg | Sugar: 3g | Calcium: 8mg