Classic Iced Black Tea
In short: Clear, refreshing iced black tea brewed strong and diluted with cold water, with tips to avoid bitterness and cloudiness. It takes about 10 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 68 kcal
Iced tea is simple but easy to get wrong: steep it too long and it turns bitter, chill it too fast and it goes cloudy. This method brews a strong concentrate for a short time, sweetens it while hot and then dilutes it with cold water. The tea cools quickly and stays clear. Make a big jug on a Sunday and it will see you through a hot week.
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil. Put the tea bags in a heatproof jug, add the baking soda if using, and pour the boiling water over them.
- Steep for 4 minutes, no longer. Lift out the tea bags without squeezing them, because squeezing releases bitter tannins.
- Stir the sugar into the hot tea until it dissolves completely.
- Pour in the cold water and stir. The tea should now taste slightly strong, since the ice will dilute it.
- Let the jug cool on the counter for 20 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Cooling slowly keeps the tea clear.
- Pour over plenty of ice and serve with lemon slices.
Tips
- Skip the sugar and sweeten each glass with a spoonful of simple syrup if you want guests to choose their own sweetness.
- Make flavored versions by adding sliced peaches, a handful of berries or a few sprigs of fresh herbs to the jug while it chills.
Questions and answers
Why is my iced tea cloudy?
Cloudiness appears when strong, hot tea is chilled too quickly. Let the tea cool on the counter before refrigerating, or add a tiny pinch of baking soda to the hot tea.
How long does iced tea keep in the fridge?
Up to 4 days in a covered jug. After that it tastes flat and stale. Add the lemon slices only when serving.
Can I use loose-leaf tea instead of tea bags?
Yes. Use 12 g (4 teaspoons) in an infuser, or strain the brewed tea through a fine sieve. A strong, plain black tea gives the best result.
How long does it take to make Classic Iced Black Tea?
About 10 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Classic Iced Black Tea?
About 68 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 17 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 68 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 17 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 17 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
