June is National Iced Tea Month and what better way to celebrate than with refreshing homemade batches of iced tea all Summer long? Not only is making your own iced tea at home cheaper than store-bought, it's way more delicious! Experiment by adding your favourite fruit, herbs, and even level of sweetness. Let's get brewing!
HOT TO ICED METHOD
Want iced tea and want it NOW? This method is perfect for when you want a quick refreshing sip.
Choose your favourite tea and steep it double strength (with twice the amount of tea, and half the amount of water).
For example, if your tea calls for 1 teaspoon of tea in 1 cup of boiling water, instead you'll use 2 teaspoons of tea and half a cup of boiling water.*
Once the tea is finished steeping, discard the tea leaves. Add sweetener if desired, then a handful or two of ice to quickly chill and dilute the tea.
COLD BREW METHOD
Too hot to get the kettle going? The cold brew method takes some time but is super low effort and yields a nice, smooth cup of tea.
Choose your favourite tea and steep it according to the directions, but instead of using hot water, use room temperature or cold. Stir and let it chill in the fridge for at least four hours or overnight.
At this point, you can experiment with adding different flavours like fresh or frozen fruit and herbs.
When ready to serve, discard the tea leaves (and herbs/fruit) and pour over ice. Add sweetener and top with fresh herbs or fruit if desired.
Tips for keeping your iced tea cold without watering it down:
- Chill your glasses beforehand, or opt for an insulated tumbler
- Freeze prepared tea in an ice cube tray, and use in place of regular ice
- Use frozen fruit instead of ice
NOTES
*Why not just steep the tea for twice the amount of time instead?
By steeping tea for too long, you run the risk of bringing out the bitter and unpleasant flavours. If you want more flavour in your tea, just use more tea and steep it for the regular amount of time.
