Fresh, cold iced tea is a staple of any summer afternoon. However, this traditional drink doesn't necessarily require going to the store to buy it. Making home-brewed iced tea is simple, usually cheaper, and is a handy skill to have.
How Many Tea Bags for Iced Tea
No matter if you are making iced tea with a maker or by hand, it is useful to know how many tea bags you need to make the perfect strength iced tea. Recommendations differ depending on the source, however popular tea companies recommend the following to brew at home.
- By the glass: Steep one tea bag
- By the quart: Steep two to three tea bags
- By the gallon: Steep nine tea bags
Adjust to Taste
The fun part of brewing tea at home is crafting it to your personal taste. If the tea you brew isn't strong enough, add another bag next time. If the tea you made is too strong, decrease the tea bags used in the recipe or water it down after brewing. Making tea at home allows you to be experimental and tailor the tea to your preferences.
Using an Iced Tea Maker
One of the simplest ways to make iced tea is by using an iced tea maker. These appliances are priced from about $15 and are simple to use. Enjoy one to three quarts of the refreshing brew in a matter of minutes.
Ingredients
Servings: 1 quart
- 3 tea bags
- 2 cups water
- 2 cup ice
Directions
- Place tea bags in the designated compartment.
- Pour water into the maker.
- Pour ice in the designated compartment.
- Press the "On" button and wait.
- The tea maker will automatically boil hot water, steep the tea, and drip it over ice.
- Once brewed, enjoy!
Making Iced Tea By Hand
A traditional and minimalist method of making iced tea is making it by hand. To do so, simply boil water, steep the tea bags in the hot water for around ten minutes, and refrigerate until cool. The best tea is made this way when cooled over ice and served with fresh lemon.
Ingredients
Servings: 1 quart
- 3 tea bags
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup ice
Directions
- Bring 3 cups of water to a boil.
- Pour in a pitcher and steep 3 tea bags in the water.
- Pour 1 cup of ice into the tea.
- Refrigerate for 3 hours or until cool.
Adding Variety
Although most traditional iced teas are made with regular black tea, any tea variety can be used. You can also add extra ingredients for an extra flavor infusion.
Iced Tea Varieties
Flavored and herbal teas can add variety, delicious flavors, and maybe even some health benefits to your afternoon iced tea. Iced green tea can be very light and refreshing too. Some other great teas to try include:
- Mint tea
- Lemon tea
- Jasmine green tea
- Peppermint tea
- Vanilla tea
- Chamomile tea
- Pomegranate tea
- Berry tea
Add Fruits and Herbs
Another way to add variety to your iced tea is to go beyond the lemon. Other fruits and herbs can be incorporated for flavor. Many fruits and herbs can also offer sweetness without needing to add sugar. Try some of the following in your next iced tea brew.
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Limes
- Oranges
- Raspberries
- Pomegranate
- Peaches
- Basil leaves
- Mint leaves
- Rosemary
- Ginger
Homemade Tea
Enjoying iced tea doesn't have to break the bank or be overly complicated. No matter how you make iced tea at home, creativity can go a long way to create a delicious and exciting beverage. Adding fruit, herbs, and utilizing different tea varieties can create wonderfully refreshing drinks.
