Iced Tea

Table of Contents

1. Iced Tea Ingredients
2. Substitutions and Additions
3. How to Make Iced Tea
4. How To Serve Iced Tea at Home
5. Why You'll Love This Recipe for Iced Tea
6. Recipe FAQ
7. Serving FAQ
8. Storage FAQ
9. JUMP TO RECIPE

Cool off with this easy iced tea recipe that’s packed with refreshing flavor and just the right amount of sweetness. Use simple ingredients to brew a batch that tastes way better than store-bought. It’s perfect for summer days, BBQs, or any time you need a thirst-quenching drink. Add lemon slices or fresh mint to take it up a notch.

This ice tea recipe is super easy to make—just follow the steps below. You’ll find step-by-step photos and directions to help. We’ve added pro tips, tricks, and answers to the most frequently asked questions so you get it right every time.

This homemade iced tea recipe tastes fresh, sweet, and smooth with every sip. It’s perfect for cookouts, potlucks, or weekend chill time.

You only need a few simple ingredients to make a big pitcher that beats store-bought every time. Serve it cold with lemon or mint for extra flavor.

What you'll need to make this homemade iced tea:

• 8½ cups of water, divided into 8 cups and ½ cup (8 cups for hot brewed tea)
• 8 family-size tea bags, tea tags only removed (Orange & Black Pekoe blend)
• 1 cup of sugar (if Southern tea is desired, add an extra ½ cup)
• Lemon slices for garnish

Tea: You can use any kind of tea you like for this iced tea recipe. If you prefer loose-leaf tea, go for it. Bagged tea works great too since it’s quicker and cleaner to use. Try green tea, white tea, or even herbal tea if you want something different from black tea.

Lemons: Adding lemon is totally optional, but it gives the tea a fresh, zesty flavor. You can also toss in fruit like peaches, strawberries, raspberries, or oranges. Mint leaves make a simple and tasty garnish too.

Syrup and Sweeteners: This is where you can get creative. If you enjoy flavored iced tea, try adding your favorite homemade syrups for something extra.

Follow along with our step-by-step photos to make this ice tea recipe taste just right. Use the tips and tricks below to get the best flavor every time. Let’s get started and make the perfect glass of sweet tea!

For Cold Brewed Tea

FIRST STEP: Pour 8 cups of cold water into a pitcher with a lid.

SECOND STEP: Place tea bags inside the pitcher, with tea tags hanging out of the pitcher.

THIRD STEP: Place the pitcher in the refrigerator overnight or up to 12 hours.

FOURTH STEP: Remove tea bags and discard. If tea bags burst, strain tea mixture through a screen sieve. 

FIFTH STEP: Heat the remaining ½ cup of water to a simmer, and remove from heat.

SIXTH STEP: Pour sugar into heated water, stir to dissolve

SEVENTH STEP: Pour sugar mixture into cold tea. Stir to incorporate sugar mixture.
EIGHTH STEP: Serve your tea by pouring it over ice cubes and serving it with lemon slices.

For Hot Brewed Tea

FIRST STEP: Bring four cups of water to a boil.

SECOND STEP: Add the tea bags to the water. Remove from the heat and let them steep for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on how strong you’d like your tea to be.

THIRD STEP: Carefully remove the tea bags from the hot water.

FOURTH STEP: Add sugar to the hot tea mixture. Stir to completely dissolve the sugar.

FIFTH STEP: Add the hot tea mixture to the remaining four cups of cold water.

SIXTH STEP: Refrigerate until cooled.

SEVENTH STEP: Serve your tea by pouring it over ice and serving it with lemon slices.

You can serve the best homemade iced tea all year long, and it works great for both kids and adults. Try it at parties, family dinners, or weekend hangouts—it always goes fast!

• Summer cookouts: This iced tea cools everyone down fast and pairs perfectly with grilled chicken. Try it with fried potatoes and savory meat loaf.
• Holiday gatherings: Make a big pitcher for Thanksgiving, Easter, or the Fourth of July. Pair it with roasted ham or apple baked beans.
• Afternoon snacks or lunch: Pour it over ice and enjoy it with peanut butter cookies or chicken salad sandwiches. Kids and grown-ups both love it.

This iced tea wins our readers over again and again. It’s fresh, simple, and always hits the spot when you need it most. Whether you're hosting a party or just chilling at home, this one always makes the list.

• Great for Any Season: It cools you off in the summer and still works year-round with your favorite meals.
• Family Friendly: Everyone loves it—kids sip it up, and adults never turn it down.
• Customizable: Change the tea, add fruit, or try new sweeteners without messing up the recipe.
• Always a Crowd-Pleaser: Guests drink it fast, and someone always asks for the recipe.

This iced tea recipe keeps things simple, fresh, and fun—which is exactly why readers keep coming back to it!

Can I use any kind of tea for this recipe?
Yes, you can use black, green, white, or herbal tea to make this tea recipe taste just how you like it.

Do I need to boil the water first when making iced tea?
Yes, boil the water first to steep the tea bags properly. Hot water brings out the tea’s best flavor and color.

Do I need to let the tea cool before adding ice?
Yes, cool the tea first to avoid melting all the ice and watering down the tea too much.

Can I double this recipe for a large group?
Yes, double or triple this recipe for parties or BBQs by using a bigger pot and more tea bags.

What kind of sweeteners work best for iced tea?
Use regular sugar, honey, or simple syrup. You can pick the sweetener that matches your taste the best.

Can I add lemon or fruit to my tea?
Yes, sliced lemons, peaches, or berries add fresh flavor and color to your homemade iced tea recipe.

Do I need to strain loose-leaf tea before chilling?
Yes, always strain loose-leaf tea before chilling so your iced tea stays smooth and free from bits of leaves.

Should I chill the iced tea in the fridge or over ice?
Chill this tea recipe in the fridge for at least 12 hours before serving.

What’s the best way to serve iced tea at a party?
Pour the tea into a large pitcher or drink dispenser and keep it chilled with lots of ice. Add sliced lemons, oranges, or berries just before serving to make the iced tea look fresh and taste fruity.

Should I serve iced tea in glass cups or plastic ones?
Use glass cups for a classic look or plastic for easy cleanup—either works great for serving.

How do I keep iced tea cold during a picnic or BBQ?
Pack in a cooler with ice packs and serve it from a thermos or insulated jug.

Is this iced tea good for kids’ parties?
Yes, this sweet tea is a fun drink for kids—just leave out any extra citrus or mint if needed.

Can I set up an iced tea bar for guests?
Yes, set out lemons, mint, and syrups so guests can customize their iced tea the way they like it.

Does iced tea keep well in the fridge?
Keep leftover iced tea in the fridge and make sure it stays cold. For the best taste, drink it within a day. It still holds up well for three to four days if you need extra time. You can also store leftover simple syrup in the fridge for several weeks without any problem.

Can I freeze this homemade iced tea?
Skip freezing this tea. It’s best served fresh and doesn’t hold up well after being frozen.