This is the only Iced Tea Recipe you need to make that perfectly Sweetened Ice Tea that Restaurants serve! It’s as easy as making tea and adding sugar!
Perfectly Sweetened Iced Tea just like you would get at Restaurants! This homemade iced tea makes the perfect chilled beverage for a fraction of the cost and only 3 ingredients!
Iced Tea
This is not long island iced tea or Thai iced tea in that matter, but rather something more like Arizona iced tea because it tastes like the stuff you’d order out! I used to work at Subway many years ago and we brewed the iced tea in bulk early in the morning and stir in pitchers of sugar. This is the same concept. Brew and stir in sugar. That’s all you need! No iced tea makers or fancy tea bags. You could make this from green tea but we’re going to be using Lipton tea bags to make classic Lipton Iced Tea, and for that you’ll need Pekoe Tea bags.
Restaurants don’t use tea bags but rather dump the dried tea into commercial brewers. Lipton tea will give you the exact taste you would order out since orange pekoe is that flavor you get from iced tea. Infuse your tea with fresh fruits or lemons additional flavor and if your not fond of sugar drizzle honey for a leaner drink. Making a batch of freshly made sweet tea is super economic and perfect for a party, gathering, potluck or a drink to simply have sitting around to enjoy.
How to make Iced Tea:
Iced Tea Recipe
Ingredients
Ice Tea:
- 8 cups water divided
- 3/4 cup sugar
Instructions
How to make Iced Tea:
- Place 7 tea bags into a large bowl. Pour 4 cups of boiling water over the tea bags and steep (brew) 4 minutes.
- Remove tea bags and add 3/4 cup of sugar. Stir together until granules dissolve.
- Pour 4 cups of cold water and stir. Ladle tea into a packed cup of ice and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition per serving
Q&A
What’s in a Long Island Iced Tea?
Alcohol! Long island iced tea is an alcoholic beverage made from iced tea, coca cola and liquor. Alcohol is not good for you and isn’t encouraged to consume. Please read the Bible to further answer alcohol consumption, it is the book that has answers for your soul!
How to make Thai Iced Tea?
Thai iced tea is made from black tea, Asian spices and sweetened milk. To make Thai iced tea check out Absolutely the Best Thai iced tea Recipe.
How to make Iced tea with Tea bags?
Since not all people have access to Bulk Supply Stores tea bags will do the job just fine. The process is pretty simple regardless what machinery or equipment you’re using. First, brew the tea in boiling water to release the flavors in the tea and soften the dried tea mixture. Then, after the tea is darkened add the sugar. Dissolving the sugar in warm water makes the granules dissolve quicker. Finally, cool the sweetened tea before adding the ice cubes, to NOT dilute or run down the tea, as ice melts quickly in warm drinks!
Can I make Iced Green Tea?
Green tea would work great for pekoe tea! Simply interchange the tea bags and use honey or ginseng for green tea add-ins!
Is iced tea good for you?
Tea helps detox your body. Iced tea is refreshing and especially nice in the hot summer months to cool you down. For a healthier ice tea option use honey as the sweetener instead of sugar.
How do I make Restaurant Sweetened iced tea?
Proportion is key! Brewing the tea bags in the right amount of water and adding just enough sugar balances everything to make the perfect batch of Iced tea. Also, Pekoe tea gives the classic authentic tea flavor you’d recognize in many Restaurants, so use that!
How long do I brew tea?
If using Lipton tea bags, tea can brew in as fast as 3 minutes. The longer the tea bags sit in hot water the deeper and stronger the flavor.
How to make iced tea for a crowd?
Serving iced tea for a crowd is easy. Depending on the size of your crowd you may need to double or triple your portion. One batch makes 10-12 servings of approx. 6 fluid oz. So, plan accordingly.
Add-ins:
Sweetened iced tea is best served originally just brewed and sweetened however popping a fresh lemon or fruit can add a nice garnish. Here are some ideas:
- blueberries
- strawberries
- kiwi
- lemons
- lime
- fresh mint leaves
- frozen berries as ice cubes
- canned peaches
How to make iced tea fast?
To make iced tea super quick, brew the tea bags in half the amount of boiling water. Stir in the sugar to dissolve the granules and add the remainder water, cold. This will bring the tea to room temperature instantly!
Tips:
- Adding honey is a better-for-you sweetener, use that instead of sugar.
- Infuse tea with fresh fruits or fresh lemons!
- Change up the tea flavors by using green tea bags or a fruity flavored tea instead of pekoe tea.
- Throw frozen berries into your tea as ice and flavor!
