ThirstyforKnowledge

An encyclopedia of drinks — mixed, poured, brewed and whisked

No. 112 Tea

Iced tea

Strong black tea, cooled and poured over plenty of ice with lemon. Sweeten to taste.

A tall glass of iced tea with a slice of lemon
Iced tea with lemon Photo: Renee Comet (photographer), Public domain

Recipe card

ml oz

Makes 2 servings · about 10 min to make

Ingredients

Ounces are US fluid ounces (29.57 ml), rounded.

Method

  1. Brew the tea bags in the boiled water for 4–5 minutes, then remove them.
  2. Stir in sugar syrup if you want it sweet, and let the tea cool to room temperature.
  3. Fill two tall glasses with ice and lemon slices.
  4. Pour the cooled tea over the ice and garnish with lemon and mint.
Glass
Highball glass
Garnish
Lemon slice and mint
Technique
Brewed
Difficulty
Easy

Printable recipe card

About the Iced tea

Brew the tea strong because the ice will dilute it. Cool it before pouring over ice so it doesn't melt too fast or turn cloudy. The UK Tea & Infusions Association suggests Ceylon or Keemun for iced tea.

Background

The UK Tea & Infusions Association says iced tea was first drunk at the 1904 World's Fair in St Louis, when hot weather led Englishman Richard Blechynden to pour tea over ice.

Tags: cold summer black tea

Sources

  1. UK Tea & Infusions Association — Varieties of tea

Checked when this entry was written. Links open the original source in a new tab.