Iced Tea Made Easy – A Family Tradition

Richelle’s Iced Tea Made Easy – A Family Tradition

There’s something timeless about a refreshing glass of homemade iced tea. For me, it’s more than just a drink—it’s a cherished tradition that has been a part of my family’s summers for as long as I can remember. Growing up, we used to make iced tea with frozen lemonade at my mother’s house, a no-fail method that became a weekend staple, especially for our Saturday night BBQs.

Over the years, I perfected my own method, tweaking it until it became just right. I still make it daily during the summer, and it has become a signature drink at my house. Friends and family know they can always count on a cold, refreshing glass when they visit on a warm spring or summer day. Some have even gone out of their way just to stop by for one!

One of my secrets? I let the tea steep in the sun or against a window for hours, which results in a naturally smooth, never-bitter flavor. This method allows me to use less sugar while keeping all the deliciousness intact.

Yield: 2 Liters

Ingredients:

10 tea bags (good quality tea is essential

2/3 cup sugar

½ cup lemon juice (I always use ReaLemon for consistent quality)

6 cups cold water (for steeping)

Additional cold water and ice to reach 2 liters

Instructions:

In a large mason jar or clear pitcher, steep the tea bags in approximately 6 cups of cold water.

Place the jar in a sunny spot or near a window and let the tea steep for at least 4 hours, up to 24 hours. (Indirect sunlight works too!)

Once steeped, remove the tea bags gently without squeezing them too hard.

Stir in the sugar and lemon juice until fully dissolved.

Add ice and additional cold water until the total volume reaches 2 liters.

Serve chilled and enjoy!

Time-Saving Iced Tea Concentrate

If you love homemade iced tea but don’t want to make it every day, here’s a time-saving trick: make a concentrate!

How to Make Iced Tea Concentrate:

1. Follow the same steeping process as above, but in a large mason jar using just enough water to cover the tea bags, leaving room for sugar and lemon juice later.

2. Once steeped, remove the tea bags and add the sugar and lemon juice.

3. Stir or shake the jar until the sugar dissolves.

4. Store the concentrate in the fridge.

5. When ready to serve, simply pour the concentrate into a pitcher, add ice and enough water to reach 2 liters, and enjoy!

This method is perfect for summer gatherings and ensures you always have delicious iced tea on hand for guests. While I’ve never tested how long the concentrate lasts in the fridge (because we drink it too fast!), it’s a great make-ahead solution.

Tips for the Best Iced Tea:

• Quality matters! Using good-quality tea and lemon juice makes all the difference in flavor.

• Cold water is key. Starting with cold water keeps the tea smooth and prevents bitterness.

• Adjust to taste. Play with the sugar and lemon juice levels to suit your preference.

This recipe has been a summer staple in my family for years, and I hope it becomes one in yours too! Let me know how you like it and if you try any fun variations.