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Classic Homemade Iced Tea

Classic Homemade Iced Tea

A timeless, refreshing iced tea brewed the right way — strong, smooth, and never bitter. This foolproof method uses black tea steeped at the perfect temperature for a clean, balanced flavor that's not cloudy or harsh. Serve it over plenty of ice with a squeeze of lemon and sweeten to your taste. Perfect for a pitcher on the porch or a crowd at a summer cookout.

8 servings · Prep 5 min · Cook 10 min · Total 75 min

Beverage

Ingredients

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Main

  • 4 cup water for brewing (hot)
  • 4 black tea bags such as Lipton, Luzianne, or Tetley
  • 4 cup cold water to dilute after brewing
  • 1 whole lemon sliced into rounds or wedges
  • 4 cup ice
  • 4 stalks fresh mint

Simple Syrup

  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar adjust
  • 0.75 cup water for the syrup

Equipment

  • Stovetop
  • Saucepan
  • Pot
  • Pitcher (Large)
  • Glasse
  • Pitcher
  • Refrigerator
  • Glass (Large)
  • Measuring Cups
  • Quart Jar
  • Kettle
  • Saucepan (1 Quart)

Instructions

  1. Bring ~[4 cups] of @[Water] to a boil in a #[Saucepan] or #[Kettle]. Remove from heat and let it rest for ~[1 minute] — this brings the temperature down slightly (to around ![200°F]) and prevents the @[Tea] from becoming bitter.
  2. Add ~[4] @[Black Tea Bags] to the hot @[Water]. Steep for exactly ~[5 minutes]. Do not squeeze or press the bags when removing them — this releases bitter tannins. Simply lift them out and discard.
  3. Pour the hot brewed @[Tea] concentrate into a large #[Pitcher (Large)]. Add ~[4 cups] of @[Cold Water] and stir to combine. This dilutes the concentrate to the perfect drinking strength.
  4. Allow the @[Tea] to cool to room temperature (about ~[30–45 minutes]), then refrigerate until fully chilled, at least ~[1 hour]. Do not pour hot @[Tea] directly over @[Ice] — it will dilute and cloud the @[Tea].
  5. While the @[Tea] brews, make the simple syrup (optional): Combine ~[3/4 cup] @[Sugar] and ~[3/4 cup] @[Water] in a small #[Saucepan] over ^[medium heat]. Stir until the @[Sugar] fully dissolves, about ~[2–3 minutes]. Do not boil. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Transfer to a #[Quart Jar] or bottle.
  6. Fill tall glasses generously with @[Ice]. Pour the chilled @[Tea] over the @[Ice], leaving a little room at the top. Sweeten with simple syrup to taste — start with ~[1–2 tablespoons] per glass and adjust from there.
  7. Garnish each glass with a @[Lemon] wedge or round and a sprig of fresh @[Mint] if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!