Ingredients
For the pitcher
- 2 family-size bags black iced tea each bag intended for 1 quart; not small single-cup bags
- 8 cups water divided: 4 cups hot and 4 cups cold; about 1.9 L total
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar optional, 50 g
- 1/2 lemon optional, sliced for serving
- ice for serving only
Equipment
- Kettle or saucepan
- Heat-safe brewing jug or saucepan
- Measuring cups and spoon
- Covered 2-quart pitcher or storage containers
- Serving glasses
Instructions
Brew and chill
- Bring 4 cups of the water to a boil in a kettle or saucepan. Use a heat-safe brewing vessel, not an ordinary decorative glass pitcher.
- Take the water off the heat and add the 2 family-size tea bags. Steep for 3–5 minutes, using 4 minutes as a starting point, or follow the package directions. Remove the bags without squeezing them.
- If using sugar, stir the measured 1/4 cup into the hot tea until dissolved. Omit it for an unsweetened pitcher.
- Stir in the remaining 4 cups cold water. Transfer to a clean covered pitcher or smaller covered containers and refrigerate promptly until chilled, about 1 hour depending on the container and refrigerator. Do not add ice to the stored pitcher.
- Divide the chilled tea among glasses with fresh ice. Offer the optional lemon separately. Keep the remaining pitcher refrigerated and make a fresh batch rather than topping old tea with new.
Video
Notes
Bag size matters. Follow the directions on your chosen iced-tea product if they differ. Chilling time is approximate. Cost and nutrition refer to unsweetened tea without lemon; adding all 50 g sugar adds about 25 calories and 6 g carbohydrate per serving.
Video credit: Anyone can cook with me, “Lemon Iced Tea Recipe,” published June 15, 2015. The video demonstrates a sweeter lemon variation with different quantities; follow the measured pitcher recipe above.