I’m a huge fan of cold steeping tea, but that is a slow process and there are times I want a refreshing drink fast. Enter iced tea. Using the flash chill method for iced tea allows you to serve yourself and others a thirst quenching glass in just 10 minutes or less. Flash chill iced tea simply means once the tea has steeped, ice is immediately added to chill it. You might be thinking, “well, won’t that make the tea really weak?” but a tea concentrate is made therefore, the ice will actually dilute it to the perfect strength. This how-to will help you make the perfect iced tea, every time.
History of Iced Tea
In 1904, Richard Blechynden popularized iced tea at the St. Louis World’s Fair. When he wasn’t profiting from the hot tea he was selling during the heat wave, he had the idea to pour his tea over ice before serving to customers who were looking for a refreshing beverage to cool down with.
What a great idea that was because Richard soon began to see a nice line up of customers looking to quench their thirst! Thanks to this day iced tea was recognized nationwide and quickly became a favourite for many.
3 Tips for Perfect Iced Tea
Making your own iced tea has lots of benefits. For one, using fresh tea and not bottled or powder iced tea will give us the best flavour and be healthier.
You are also not limited to iced tea flavours. If you have a tea in your stash right now that you think would sound delicious iced, then give it a try!
While there are not exactly “rules”, these are some tips that will be helpful when making the perfect iced tea:
More tea leaves, same steep time
Iced tea gets diluted so you want your steep to be twice as strong. However, that doesn’t mean you should over-steep the tea to do so as that can result in a bitter drink because of the tannins in tea. Instead, increase the amount of tea leaves you would normally use. This will create a tea concentrate, that is perfect for iced tea.
Add sweetener before adding ice
To make sure your sweetener dissolves easily mix it into the tea when it is still hot. Adjust the sweetener measurement to taste.
If you would like to sweeten your iced tea after making it, simple syrup is recommended. It will be easy to mix into a colder tea.
But, if you don’t want to make your iced tea sweet, you don’t have to add any sweetener! You can control what goes in it — that’s the beauty of making your own iced tea from scratch!
Room temperature before cooling
After making the tea, allow it to come to room temperature before placing in the refrigerator to cool. If you set hot tea in the cold right away it may cause the tea to get cloudy.
With the method below, the tea will be chilled prior to refrigerating though.
How to Make Iced Tea at Home (Quick & Simple!)
You can use the flash chill iced tea method with any type of tea. If you’re feeling like a classic iced tea, go for a bold black tea. If you want something light and floral, try a jasmine green tea.
Here is what you will need:
2 quart pitcher with airtight lid and *very important* safe for temperature change (this is the one I use). Adjust measurements according to size of pitcher you use.
4 cups water
8-10 teaspoons of loose leaf tea (or tea bags)
2 tablespoons sweetener of choice. Feel free to use white sugar, honey, maple syrup, or simple syrup.
Directions
1. Heat 4 cups of water to the appropriate temperature for the type of tea you are using. If you’re unsure of this, follow the recommendations that may be on the label of your packet of tea. (ie. 100 degrees Celsius for a black tea, 75 degrees Celsius for a green tea) You can also find a tea steeping guide here.
2. Add your loose leaf tea or tea bag to the pitcher and pour in the hot water. Your pitcher should be half way full. Follow the steeping time for the type of tea you are using.
3. Remove tea leaves or tea bags, and stir in the sweetener until it has dissolved. Depending on your personal taste, use more or less sweetener. 
4. Fill pitcher with ice (leave some room at the top to safely shake) and seal. Shake for 30 seconds. Ice will begin to melt and the tea will be chilled immediately. This is why it’s very important to use a pitcher that can handle going from hot to cold quickly. When the ice has melted the tea will be diluted to the perfect iced tea strength.
5. Serve in a glass over more ice and enjoy!
RELATED READ: How to Make Sparkling Iced Tea
Perfect Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 8-10 teaspoons of loose leaf tea or tea bags
- 2 tablespoons sweetener of choice
Instructions
- Heat 4 cups of water to the appropriate temperature for the type of tea you are using. Follow the recommendations that may be on the label of your packet of tea.
- Add your loose leaf tea or tea bag to a 2-quart heat resistant pitcher* and pour in the hot water. The pitcher should be about half way full. Steep for the recommended amount of time (refer to label again).
- Remove tea leaves or tea bags, and stir in the sweetener until it has dissolved. Add more or less depending on taste.
- Fill pitcher with ice leaving a bit of room at the top. Seal and shake for 30 seconds. Ice will begin to melt and the tea will be chilled immediately.**
- Serve in a glass over more ice and enjoy!
Notes
Want to make perfect iced tea this summer? Pin this how-to for later here –> http://bit.ly/2MGIa6I
*Get more refreshing & fun iced tea recipes in this free ebook.
What tea will you be using to make flash chill iced tea this summer? Share in the comments below!
I didn’t know the history behind iced tea! How cool! Also, great tips ! Thank you !
I love these tea tumblers! Great way to prepare, put in the fridge, and they are ready to go!
thanks for these easy steps to make your own iced tea. I want one now 🙂
You said yourself that they are easy steps! So, you should go make some iced tea now 😉 hehehe
I’ve been thinking about how to make a good iced tea recently and was surprised to find this in my email inbox today! Thank you for the tips! I do find the sweetener to be essential because there’s something about cold tea that seems extra bitter than hot tea. I’m going to check out your sparkling iced tea recipe right now…
Perfect timing! I hope you have been enjoying lots of refreshing and delicious iced teas 🙂