The Ultimate Guide to Perfect Homemade Iced Tea
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Tired of bitter, cloudy iced tea? My guide reveals secrets to perfectly clear, smooth iced tea every time. Includes classic sweet, cold brew & fruit recipes!
Ingredients
Instructions
Prepare the Base: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of the water to a near boil over medium-high heat. You’re looking for simmering, not a rolling boil. A full boil can make the tea taste harsh.
Add the Secret Ingredient: Once the water is simmering, turn off the heat and stir in the baking soda until it dissolves.
Steep the Tea: Add the tea bags to the hot water. Gently press them with a spoon to ensure they are fully submerged. Cover the saucepan and let the tea steep for exactly 5 to 7 minutes. For a stronger tea, use more tea bags, don’t steep for longer. Over-steeping is the number one cause of bitterness.
Remove Tea Bags: After steeping, carefully remove the tea bags using a slotted spoon. Do not squeeze the tea bags! Squeezing them releases extra tannins and will make your tea bitter, undoing all our hard work.
Sweeten the Concentrate: While the tea concentrate is still hot, pour in your desired amount of sugar. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. This is the only time you should sweeten the tea, as sugar dissolves best in hot liquid.
Dilute and Chill: Pour the sweetened tea concentrate into a 2-quart pitcher. Add the remaining 4 cups of cold water and stir to combine.
Refrigerate: Place the pitcher in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2-3 hours, or until completely cold. Serving hot tea over ice will cause it to become cloudy and diluted. Patience is key!
Serve: Fill tall glasses with ice. Pour the chilled sweet tea over the ice and garnish with a fresh lemon wedge and a sprig of mint if you like. Enjoy the best iced tea you’ve ever made.