Summer Iced Tea Recipes
Summer days = A tall, cool glass of the BEST iced tea!
These warm summer days are a perfect time to explore refreshing iced tea. And it’s simple to make… Just select your favorite teas and brew them stronger than usual. And with so many flavors, pure teas, and herbal tisanes to choose from, the hardest part might be deciding which iced tea to make first!
Elevate your iced tea experience with our special loose-leaf tea collection. If you love an invigorating, tall, cool glass of iced tea, read on. Use can use the classic traditional method, using a few of our great tips. Or, check out the “hot” cold-brewing method.
How to make the best iced tea:
Traditionally brewed (steep hot, then chill)
Measure your loose-leaf tea. Typically, it’s two teaspoons loose-leaf tea per cup iced tea. Think about how large and fluffy the leaf might be and adjust from there. (A tightly rolled Monkey Picked Oolong vs. Bai Mu Dan.) Place the tea in a heat-resistant glass decanter or iced tea pitcher.
Heat your water to the temperature suggested below per tea type. Use fresh water (not water that has been sitting in your kettle overnight).
White: 150-175°
Green: 175° F (bubbles form on the bottom of the pot)
Oolong: 190° F (bubbles just begin to rise)
Black: 205° F (full rolling boil)
Yerba Mate: 190°
Rooibos: 208°
Herbal and Fruit Tisanes: 208° F (full rolling boil)
Steep a double-strength infusion at the length of time shown below, using twice the amount of leaf you would typically use to brew your hot tea. The double-strength infusion is important. Pour your hot water over tea leaves and let steep. (For a stronger brew, don’t steep longer, just use more tea.) When in doubt, make it stronger, you can always add more cool water later.
White: 2 minutes
Green: 3 minutes
Oolong: 3 minutes
Black: 4-5 minutes
Yerba Mate: 6 minutes
Rooibos: 6 minutes
Herbal and Fruit Tisanes: 7-8 minutes
Sweeten and Chill. If you like it a little sweet, dissolve sugar or honey in the brew just after steeping. Let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to let it cool gradually (this helps avoid the clouding that may happen if it’s chilled too quickly). Place in refrigerator.
We like sweeteners like raw cane sugar and honey. Adding cane sugar to black teas creates a bit of a caramelized flavor. Honey in green teas (especially Chinese greens) highlights the floral and herbal notes. Also, try adding peppermint leaves, a splash of lime or lemon, or fresh berries.
Cold-brewed iced tea (steep cold for longer)
Curious about cold brewing? Try this method.
Measure your loose-leaf tea. Typically, it’s two teaspoons loose-leaf tea per cup iced tea. Place the tea in a heat-resistant glass decanter or iced tea pitcher.
Fill your container with 1 cup room-temperature water for each cup of iced tea you want to have. Pour the water over the leaves. Cover the tea completely with water.
Chill Your Tea in the refrigerator overnight. Sip to taste and remove the tea leaves when you’ve reached the desired strength.
To avoid diluting your iced tea, you can also make tea ice cubes. They can even add additional sweetness and flavor to your tea!
Need another way to beat the summer heat? Try our DIY Green Tea Face and Body Mist. It’s a great way to give your skin nourishing antioxidants, while staying cool and refreshed!
And for more summer refreshment, check out our DIY Tea Soda Recipes and Raspberry Tart Green Tea Popsicles.
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