How to Make Iced Tea

A hot summer day and a cold iced tea go together well. Knowing how to make iced tea in a variety of flavors can mean different refreshing tastes can be enjoyed. The perfect iced tea is easy to brew, whether you're making one refreshing glass for yourself or stirring up a pitcher of tea for guests.

Brewing fresh iced tea is extremely simple to do and will result in refreshing tea for an afternoon lazing about outside or by the pool. Popular around the world, iced tea has long been a drink favored especially in the summer months. You can brew the tea and simply add ice, or take more time steeping your tea in the refrigerator or the sun. Then add a little lemon and sugar, and you'll have a tall and refreshing glass of iced tea. There are also a number of different variations of iced tea - you can add fruit to make a delicious, fruity iced tea drink. Common modifications to the classic recipe include using flavored tea when brewing the drink or adding one of several flavorings, like cranberry juice, lemonade, orange juice or even flavored syrups to give the tea an extra boost. The possibilities for making a unique and refreshing glass of iced tea are virtually endless.

• The simplest, and fastest, way to brew iced tea is exactly what you might think: pour hot water onto a few tea bags.

1. Pick your tea flavors.
   • Martha Stewart suggests using tea bags of assorted fruit flavors plus one English Breakfast tea bag.http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=bea78198b0f63110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=iced%20tea&rsc=header_6
2. Decide how much tea you want to make.
   • To make eight cups, or two quarts, of iced tea, use ten to sixteen assorted tea bags, depending on how strong you'd like your tea.http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=bea78198b0f63110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=iced%20tea&rsc=header_6 http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/content/0,21770,684963,00.html
3. Boil water.
4. Remove tags from tea bags.
5. Put tea bags in a pitcher and pour hot water over them.
   • When pouring hot water over tea bags, be sure to use a plastic container, or one that is heatproof, as glass may break on impact with hot liquid.http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/content/0,21770,684963,00.html
   • If you're sure you want sweet tea, you can add sugar now, so it dissolves in the hot water.http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Good-Ol-Alabama-Sweet-Tea/Detail.aspx
6. Experts vary on how long tea should steep, but most guidelines suggest between 5 and 10 minutes.
7. Remove tea bags and add ice. If you're making 2 quarts of tea, add 4 cups of ice.http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/content/0,21770,684963,00.html
8. You'll also want to add ice to your glasses before pouring out the tea.
9. You might wish to add a little lemon to taste, or add sugar or simple syrup to sweeten.http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=bea78198b0f63110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=iced%20tea&rsc=header_6
10. Or try adding orange juice for another flavor kick.http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Good-Ol-Alabama-Sweet-Tea/Detail.aspx
11. If you're brewing herbal iced tea, you might also try adding a few cups of apple juice to your tea to sweeten it.http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_27661,00.html
12. Serve as soon as it's cold—don't refrigerate your tea for days after you've brewed it. It will taste its best when it's been freshly brewed.http://www.qualiteas.com/features/howtomakeicedtea.html

• If you have a little more time, you can brew iced tea right in your refrigerator so that it's cold as soon as it's done.

1. Remove the tags from ten tea bags and tie them together for easy removal when tea is done.http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/content/0,21770,684963,00.html
2. Fill a pitcher with water, add tea bags and stick it in the refrigerator to brew overnight.http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.0e0eb51a2e6b5ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=8095d0f19132f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=iced%20tea&rsc=header_1
3. When tea is brewed, simply remove the tea bags and add fruit] and a garnish—lemon, berries, or mint are all good ideas.
4. Pour tea into glasses full of ice and serve.http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/content/0,21770,684963,00.html

• On a relaxing summer day, the sun can brew your tea.

1. Remove tags from ten tea bags and tie together before adding to a pitcher full of water.http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/content/0,21770,684963,00.html
2. Let tea brew in the sun for 4-6 hours before serving in glasses full of ice.http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/content/0,21770,684963,00.html

• Now that you've mastered the basic iced tea, you might wish to add different flavors and experiment with what you like best.

1. In summer, hibiscus is a popular flavor to add to tea.
2. Stir in fruit juice(s) for added flavor.http://www.recipezaar.com/301828 Boston Iced Tea is made with cranberry juice concentrate.http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Boston-Iced-Tea/Detail.aspx You can stir in lemonade and orange juice concentrate for Tiger Tea.http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Tiger-Tea/Detail.aspx
3. You might also like to try a black currant iced tea, which will require that you add a simple syrup. http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/BLACK-CURRANT-ICED-TEA-10524
4. You can also make a blueberry syrup for blueberry-flavored tea. http://www.recipezaar.com/177172
5. Or, try making Thai iced tea, which is flavored with sweetened condensed milk.http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_31668,00.html

• Whether you simply add water to several tea bags or begin experimenting with flavored iced teas sweetened by raspberries or simple syrup, making your own iced tea is an important skill for any host or hostess—as well as for surviving a hot summer day.