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- Homemade Iced Tea
Homemade Iced Tea
Ingredients
Step by step process
Preparing the Tea
- 1
In a kettle, bring about 1.5 liters of fresh water to a boil, then let it sit for about a minute so the temperature drops below boiling point and the tea doesn't turn bitter.
TIP:Cool the water to 90-95°C (1-2 minutes after boiling). Boiling water makes the tea unnecessarily bitter and astringent. For a stronger brew, extend the steeping time rather than increasing the temperature.
- 2
Add 4 teaspoons of loose-leaf black tea to a large heatproof pitcher or pot and pour the hot water over it.
Steeping and Flavoring
- 3
Let the tea steep for approximately 4 to 5 minutes depending on your preferred strength, then strain the leaves through a fine mesh strainer and discard.
- 4
Stir 3 tablespoons of honey into the hot tea until completely dissolved, then add the juice squeezed from one lemon.
- 5
Add two sprigs of fresh mint, gently bruise them between your fingers to release their aroma, and let the tea steep for another 5 minutes.
Chilling
- 6
Remove the mint from the tea and let the drink cool to room temperature, then transfer it to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight.
- 7
Before serving, taste the iced tea and adjust the flavor with more honey or lemon juice as needed.
Serving
- 8
Fill tall glasses with plenty of ice cubes and pour the chilled tea over them to the brim.
- 9
Garnish each glass with a lemon slice on the rim and a sprig of fresh mint on top, then serve immediately.
More tips:
If you prefer to sweeten the tea with sugar instead of honey, dissolve it while the tea is still hot, or prepare a simple syrup in advance, sugar won't dissolve in a cold drink.
For a more pronounced fruity flavor, add a few slices of orange or peach during steeping, or top the tea off with lightly sparkling water for a gentle fizz.
Nutritional values
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Topic: American Cuisine
