How to Make Refreshing Iced Green Tea

Green tea receives a lot of press due to its ability to fight free radicals. However, aside from the beneficial health properties, it also tastes great - especially iced on a hot summer day. It's quite easy to make iced green tea at home, and it can be quickly modified to suit individual tastes. This iced green tea recipe yields approximately six cups.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spring or distilled water
• Large saucepan
• Green tea bags
• Sugar or honey
• Fresh lemon juice
• Fresh lemon slices (optional)
• Serving pitcher
• Chilled tea glasses
• Fresh mint (optional)

1. Bring two cups of spring or distilled water to a boil in a large saucepan. Remove the pan from the heat, add six green tea bags, and cover. Allow the mixture to steep for 10-15 minutes.

2. Remove the tea bags from the pan without squeezing them. Add sugar or honey to taste, and 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, if desired. You may also leave the sugar and/or lemon juice out at this stage and add fresh lemon slices and sweetener to individual servings. This works well if you will be serving to several different people.

3. Pour into a 2-quart serving pitcher and add four cups of cold water. Stir well to combine, and then chill in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours.

4. Chill several tea glasses and fill with ice cubes. Pour the iced green tea over the ice, and garnish with fresh mint and lemon slices, if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Use three green tea bags and three orange tea bags to make a citrus flavored iced green tea. Green tea combines well with most other teas, so mix and match and find a flavor you like, or simply drink it plain.
• If green tea bags are not available, you can also use loose green tea leaf. Use the equivalent of six tea bags (see package for instructions) in a tea ball in place of the bags.