Iced Black Tea

5 from 1 vote

Brisk and refreshing, there's no better way to keep cool than with an iced black tea. Learn to brew the perfect cup in minutes with this step-by-step recipe.

Prep Time5

Chill in Refrigerator30

Total Time35

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Servings: serving (16 ounces)

Author: Jee Choe

Equipment

Ingredients

2 black tea bags (or 1 tablespoon loose tea)
½ cup hot water
2 tablespoons sugar
½ cup cold water
1 cup ice

Instructions

Put tea bags and ½ cup of hot water into a teapot.
Boil water on the stovetop or use an electric kettle with a temperature setting. Set water temperature to 195°F.
Cover and steep for 5 minutes. Discard tea bags.
Steeping for longer will make the tea bitter.
Stir in sugar until it dissolves. Add ½ cup of cold water.
Place in the refrigerator for for 30 minutes to cool.
Pour cooled down tea into a cup with ice.

Notes

Any black tea can be used, like English Breakfast or Ceylon.
White sugar is used here, but you can substitute with brown sugar or any other sweetener.
Tea bags or sachets are easier to clean up, but you can also go with loose tea.
Black tea gets more astringent and bitter the longer it’s steeped, so be sure to set a timer and brew for no more than 5 minutes.
The iced black tea can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Omit the sugar to make it an unsweetened iced black tea.
Swap the sugar for a flavored syrup. Ginger, hibiscus, and peach all pair beautifully with black tea. Start with 1 tablespoon and add more if you like your iced tea sweeter.
Add fresh squeezed lemon juice to make this a lemon iced tea.
Fresh herbs like mint or basil not only give iced black tea a pop of color, but also add bright aroma. Gently muddle the leaves to release their flavor.
To make this a richer, creamy drink, enjoy with milk or top with a flavored cold foam.

Nutrition