🧊 How to Make Homemade Iced Tea (in 25 Minutes)
Lemon-topped homemade iced tea in a Kate Spade glass jug
🍹 How to Make Homemade Iced Tea (in 25 Minutes)
Makes ~1.8 liters
Prep Time: 15 min
Steep Time: 10 min
Estimated Calories: ~0 kcal (unsweetened / Splenda)
Ingredients
Tea Base
- 20 g loose‑leaf black tea (≈4 tsp)
- 20 g loose‑leaf Earl Grey (≈4 tsp)
- 1 L water, boiling
Finishing
- 800 mL cold filtered water
- 10 packets Splenda (or preferred sweetener)
- Ice cubes, for serving
- Lemon slices, for garnish
Equipment
- 1.5 L IKEA Riklig Teapot (for steeping)
- 2 L iced tea jug (for serving & storing)
Steps
- Bring to boil – Heat 1 L of water to a rolling boil.
- Infuse – Add black tea and Earl Grey to the teapot; pour over boiling water and steep 10 minutes.
- Strain & transfer – Remove tea leaves and pour brewed tea into the iced tea jug.
- Whisk in sweetener – Stir in Splenda (or preferred sweetener) until fully dissolved.
- Dilute – Add 800 mL cold filtered water; stir gently to balance strength.
- Chill & pour – Let sit 3–5 minutes, then serve over ice and finish with lemon slices.
Plating
- Pour into clear glass tumblers to showcase the golden color.
- Add a lemon wheel on the rim or a few mint leaves for freshness.
- Serve well‑chilled; store the remainder in the fridge for up to 48 hours.
TwoFoodies Tips
- Prefer natural sweeteners? Swap Splenda for honey or maple syrup (add while tea is hot to dissolve).
- Herbal twist: add a handful of fresh mint to the teapot during the last 2 minutes of infusion.
- Stronger or lighter: adjust steep time ±2 minutes or tweak the dilution water by ±200 mL.
