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A photo of The Secret to Perfect Southern Sweet Tea from the side
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5 from 1 vote

How To Make Iced Tea

Cool, refreshing and simple. There is NOTHING that is more comforting than a big tall glass of iced tea on a hot summer day! It tastes EXACTLY like summer!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: beverage
Cuisine: American
Keyword: iced tea, iced tea from tea bags
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 1kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 Quarts fresh cold water
  • 4 regular size tea bags or one gallon size tea bag we prefer Luzianne or Lipton
  • 2 Quarts fresh cold water

Instructions

  • In a medium sized stock pot, combine 2 quarts of fresh water and 1 Cup of granulated white sugar.
  • Turn the burner on medium heat and allow to heat until the water is beginning to steam but is not yet starting to boil.
  • Place the tea bags into the water, place the lid on the saucepan and turn the heat off. Allow to come to room temperature.
  • Remove the tea bags and gently squeeze to remove any remaining tea. Discard tea bags.
  • Pour the tea concentrate into a gallon size tea pitcher and add the remaining 2 quarts of cool water.
  • Serve over a full glass of ice cubes.

Video

Notes

  • The first tip is USE GOOD WATER.  If your water is overpoweringly loaded with chemicals so that it smells like a swimming pool, then use bottled water instead. I remember my dad would always bring some of my grandma’s well water home from our visits there to make tea with at home.  That is how important good water is!
  • Do NOT USE cheap/discount/ no name tea.  It is worth a dollar or so more to get good name brand tea.  Trust me on that.
  • Do NOT USE instant tea.  Just no.
  • Don’t boil the water with the bags in it - that bounces the tea bags around too much.
  • When you put the tea bags in the water, make sure they sink down, but not so far that you lose the little paper tags.  
  • DO NOT get to fresh with those tea bags when you are squeezing them out  because they break easily and if they do you are going to have tea dirt all in your tea.  It won’t hurt you - but it is gritty and no one likes gritty tea.

Nutrition

Calories: 1kcal | Sodium: 189mg | Calcium: 114mg