How to Make Speedy Iced Tea at Home
Looking for a quick and easy way to quench your thirst on a hot summer day? Why not try making your own refreshing iced tea at home? This simple recipe is a classic that never goes out of style and can be customized to your liking. Whether you prefer a traditional black tea or something a little more exotic like green tea or herbal blends, you can easily make it yourself with just a few ingredients. Plus, by making it at home, you can control the sweetness level and avoid all the extra sugar found in store-bought versions. So, grab your favorite tea blend, a pitcher, and some ice, and follow the steps below to make delicious and refreshing iced tea in no time.
Quick and Easy Homemade Iced Tea: Tips and Tricks for Making the Best Iced Tea at Home
If you're looking for a refreshing and easy-to-make iced tea recipe that works with any type of tea, look no further than this simple guide.
Cold Brew Iced Tea vs Hot Brew Iced Tea
Cold brewed iced tea and hot brewed iced tea are two different methods for making iced tea. Hot brewed, sometimes referred to as ice-chilled tea, is a much faster method and will produce a stronger and richer tasting tea. Cold brewed tea will take a little more patience as it involves steeping your tea in cold water in the fridge overnight. Cold brewed tea will result in a lighter and more delicate tasting tea. Sun iced tea is a popular method whereby tea is brewed in the midday sun. Sun tea will produce a taste and texture in between that of cold brewed and hot brewed tea.
You may also be interested in: What is Sun Tea?
What Kind of Tea is Used for Iced Tea?
Any tea can be used for iced tea. Traditionally black tea is the first choice for most people. However green tea was often used but black tea became more popular as black tea is generally more cost effective. The original recipe was first invented back in 1904 in St. Louis around the time when ice was first shipped to the southern states. Once ice was readily available, drinking cool tea quickly became a hit.
When making speedy iced tea, ensure you use the correct brewing temperature so that you don’t end up with a bitter tasting brew. As a general rule of thumb, the darker the tea, the higher the brewing temperature. Always refer to your package instructions for brewing temperatures and times. Black tea such as English breakfast can be brewed at boiling temperature. Lighter teas such as green tea can be brewed at a slightly lower temperature at around 175*F.
Is There Caffeine in Iced Tea?
Yes, there is caffeine in iced tea. Hotter water temperatures will extract higher amounts of caffeine. As this easy speedy recipe involves firstly brewing the tea in hot water, the caffeine levels will be the same as in a regular cup of hot tea. Black tea contains around 40mg of caffeine per cup and green tea contains around 25mg per cup. Cold brewed tea typically contains lower amounts of caffeine as the tea is slowly brewed in cold water, thus extracting less amounts of caffeine.
Are There Tannins in Iced Tea?
Tannins are a chemical found in tea leaves that are responsible for the dark colour and bitter taste. Darker, more oxidised teas such as black teas contain higher amounts of tannins. Hot water will extract the tannins. It’s important when brewing tea to not over steep the tea and to use the correct brewing temperatures. For a more delicate and less bitter tasting tea, try using the cold brewing method. This way tastes a little more patience as it involves steeping your tea in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
Is Drinking Iced Tea as Healthy as Drinking Water?
We are told to drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluid each day as the NHS Eat Well Guide confirms that this includes tea and coffee! However, we are also advised to limit caffeine intake to under 300mg a per day. So whilst drinking tea and iced tea can count towards your daily fluid intake, water is always going to be the number one option.
What you Will Need to Make Iced Tea
Equipment - a kettle, tea cup/tea pot and a tall glass
Tea - loose leaf or tea bags
Sweetener - any that takes your fancy
Water - filtered water is always best for when making any tea
Ice - lots for a quick chill
Fruit - Any you like it’s great to experiment with the flavors
Tips for Making the Best Iced Tea Ever
Tea: You can use either loose leaf tea or tea bag tea. I would recommend using 1 tea bag per glass or 1-2 heaped teaspoons of loose leaf. It’s always a good idea to strongly brew your tea so that when you add it to ice, the flavors are not diluted.
Steep it: Allow your tea to steep for 3-5 minutes max. If you would like a stronger brew, add more tea rather than more time. More time will extract more tannins which will result in a bitter tasting tea. That being said, start by following the package instructions and adjust steeping times and amounts of tea according to your taste.
Sweeten it: Use any sweetener that you like for this recipe. I like using white sugar when making iced green tea or Moroccan mint tea. I also love the taste of maple syrup in black tea with peaches or in iced masala chai.
Flavor with fruit: Serve with any fruit that takes your fancy. I like using citrus fruits and mint sprigs. I also love sliced apples and peaches. Alternatively fresh berries muddled in iced tea are tasty.
Make a big batch: Feel free to double, triple or quadruple the recipe to make bigger batches. Make a large jug of iced tea when you have friends over. Strongly brew your tea, chill in the fridge and then serve over large glasses of ice when your guests arrive.
How to Make my Easy Speedy Iced Tea Recipe From Scratch
INGREDIENTS (Serves 1)
1 Tea Bag (or 1-2 Teaspoons of Loose Leaf Tea)
1 Cup of Freshly Boiled Water
1 Tablespoon of Sugar/Honey/Maple Syrup/Agave - Optional
Lots of Ice
Slices of Lemon/Apples/Peaches - to Serve
Mint Sprigs - to Serve
METHOD
Firstly, steep your tea in freshly boiled water for 3-5 minutes before removing your tea bags/loose leaf tea.
Next, stir in your sweetener of choice until it dissolves.
Pour over large glasses of ice and add slices of fruit and mint sprigs.
Read More Tea Recipes
It is important to note that any health advice provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine, or overall health. The information provided is not a substitute for professional medical advice.