How to Make Cold Brewed Iced Tea
Relax with a tall glass of iced tea during the summer months to enjoy a cool, refreshing alternative to the hot beverage. Making iced tea is as simple as pouring normal brewed tea over ice cubes, but some tea connoisseurs consider the result bitter and unpleasant. The cold-brewing process causes fewer tannins to be released from the tea leaves. The result is a milder, less-bitter tea that allows you to enjoy the subtle flavors of your cold-brewed iced tea. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 6 tbsp. loose tea leaves
- Large glass pitcher
- 8 cups cold water
- Mesh strainer
- Ice cubes
- Glass
- Sugar (optional)
- Honey (optional)
- Agave nectar (optional)
- Lemon wedge (optional)
Instructions
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Choose tea leaves to make cold-brewed iced tea. You can make iced tea with any type of tea leaves. Consider green, white, herbal or black teas.
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Place 6 tbsp. of loose tea leaves in a large glass pitcher. Pour 8 cups of cold water over the tea leaves.
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Place the pitcher in your refrigerator for at least 12 hours and up to 36 hours. Let the tea steep until it becomes a light-brown color.
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Pour the cold-brewed tea through a mesh strainer. Discard the tea leaves.
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Place several ice cubes in a tall glass. Pour the cold-brewed tea over the ice cubes and serve.
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Sweeten the tea with sugar, honey or agave nectar to taste. Serve with a small lemon wedge to further flavor the cold-brewed iced tea.
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Tips & Warnings
Pour cold-brewed tea into an ice cube tray and place it in the freezer. Use the tea-infused ice cubes to chill your tea without diluting its flavor.
Cold-brewed iced tea keeps for two to three days in the refrigerator. Do not let the tea sit at room temperature for more than one or two days -- this could cause bacterial growth.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
