How do I make Iced Tea?

[mtemm]

I am not a tea drinker, so I feel a bit like an idiot here. My parents are coming over today and mom loves iced tea so I'm making a pitcher full according to the salada package...basically heat water to boiling/steep for 3-5 minutes.

My question is, when do I add the ice? Do I wait until serving? Or do I add some to the pitcher once it cools? Do I need to keep the pitcher in the fridge or do I keep it out on the counter?

 

[monkeyboy]

good question

 

[dbogen]

Not an expert here but I would make the tea this morning and put it in the fridge. Then serve it over ice when mom gets there. Personally I just mix the powdered stuff to make mine, fresh is much better though.

Deanna

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Do you mean a Long Island Iced Tea?

 

[tiberius]

I can tell you how I make it, but I am sure others have there own version.

Make a pitcherful of hot tea, but stronger than you would normally drink regular tea (i.e. use around 50% more teabags or let it steep 2 to 3 times normal). Then let the pitcher of tea sit out on the counter until room temperature. Then add to a full cup of ice and you have iced tea. Refrigerate the leftover amount, to which you can choose whether or not to add ice.


Good luck!

 

[scduckman]

We make a gallon at the time-

7 small tea bags

boil water in a pot on the stove
put teabags in when water reaches a boil and let them sit and steep for about 30 minutes
Fill your pitcher about 1/4 full with hot water
put 1-2 cups of sugar in the hot water so it will melt.
When the teabags have finished steeping pour the tea into the pitcher
fill pitcher with cold water
refrigerate until ready to serve

 

[mojophone]

I don't boil my iced tea water. I instead fill a gallon clear glass jug add 6-8 tea bags and let it sit out in the sunshine till it appears to be the color and strength I like. then when I drink it I add the amount of sugar or even better honey to each glass with ice

 

[sweet angel]

I generally boil the water, pour it over 4-5 teabags...add probably 1/2 cup or so of sugar (this is for a gallon) let it steep until I remember to take the tea bags out.

I keep mine just on the counter -- if I put it in the fridge, I find it gets cloudy and starts tasting funky quicker.

Add ice to the glass prior to serving.

 

[mtemm]

thanks all!

mojophone, my mom and sisters used to make sun tea all the time when we were kids. very cool.

well, we'll see if its drinkable when she gets here. sounds like you all make it a little differently, and what I made looks way too strong, but maybe with enough ice it will be okay? who knows. well, there's always water to drink.

 

[goofy's friends]

thanks all!

mojophone, my mom and sisters used to make sun tea all the time when we were kids. very cool.

well, we'll see if its drinkable when she gets here. sounds like you all make it a little differently, and what I made looks way too strong, but maybe with enough ice it will be okay? who knows. well, there's always water to drink.

you can always add water after the fact too. I like mine weak, so I pour about 1/2 a glass, then fill the rest with water and a slice of lemon.

 

[tikilyn]

Am I the only one that actually boils the tea bags with the water.

I fill a pot full of water add 7 small tea bags. Bring the water and tea bags to a full boil. Then let it sit for 5 minutes. I put sugar ( I don't measure)and poor the hot tea on top of it. Then add water and then put it in the fridge

 

[SC Minnie]

The strength and taste also depends on the brand you use. I prefer Lipton. Most of the other brands are too strong for me.

I made some green iced tea last night. Its in the fridge so I haven't tasted it yet. Keeping my fingers crossed that its drinkable.

 

[Marseeya]

Am I the only one that actually boils the tea bags with the water.

I fill a pot full of water add 7 small tea bags. Bring the water and tea bags to a full boil. Then let it sit for 5 minutes. I put sugar ( I don't measure)and poor the hot tea on top of it. Then add water and then put it in the fridge

That's the way I do it, only I think I use 10 tea bags instead of 7. I had a friend who was a chef and that's the way he did it -- 10 bags, bring to a boil, add about a cup of sugar, then pour in a pitcher and add water. It's not an exact science, but my tea always came out great that way.

 

[MAKmom]

I make Ice Tea everyday. I boil water in a 2 quart pot & bring to a boil. Then I add 1 tea bag & turn the heat off. I let it cool on the stove then transfer it to a pitcher. I add sugar to my glass not the picture & a big wedge of lemon. I keep it at room temp so the sugar will dissolve...but I make it everyday. As my day turns to evening I drink it weaker & weaker. I hate water.

 

[mtemm]

well, I ended up making 2 quarts and all but a little bit was gone by the end of the day, so I'd say it was okay. everyone seemed to like it, and once in a glass with ice it didn't look too strong. I did waste far too many tea bags making it (went with the recipe on the salada box), so I learned my lesson. thanks all!

 

[iluvdisnee]

Am I the only one that actually boils the tea bags with the water.

I fill a pot full of water add 7 small tea bags. Bring the water and tea bags to a full boil. Then let it sit for 5 minutes. I put sugar ( I don't measure)and poor the hot tea on top of it. Then add water and then put it in the fridge

This is the way my Mom Does it. My Dad used to make Sun Tea when I was a kid. Gallon Clear Glass Container, Several Tea Bags, Leave it in the Sun until Dark Amber colored! Add Sugar and Enjoy!!

 

[Robinrs]

My family LOVES Iced Tea. I just found the BEST way to make it!

This stuff is AWESOME. Got 66 bags at Big Lots for $3.99 , it only takes two to make 2 quarts. You just leave it in COLD water for a few minutes and the tea tastes like the tea you get in restaurants. I really like it because it doesn't require any boiling or microwaving.

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

The easiest way I have found to make iced tea (and I'm from Alabama, a true southerner who loves iced tea!) is to use your coffee maker. (Of course, wash it out first so it won't taste like coffee.) Just put two family size tea bags where you normally put your coffee and filter (don't use a coffee filter) and run a pot full of water through the coffee maker, just like you are making a pot of coffee. In your gallon jug, put 3/4 - 1 cup sugar,(for good sweet tea) pour in your coffee pot full of tea while hot and fill up pitcher with cold tap water. Then refrigerate, put ice in glasses before serving. I have left the pitcher on the counter but I think it's better when you keep it cold.

 

[Sparx]

put it in the pitcher and put the pitcher in the fridge. add ice then. it'll stay icy cold all day.