Iced Black Tea
Ingredients:
- 4 cups water
- 4-6 tablespoons loose leaf tea (such as Wink's Breakfast Blend Black Tea)
- Sweetener (optional), such as sugar, honey, or agave syrup
- Lemon slices or mint leaves for garnish (optional)
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
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Boil Water: Bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
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Steep Tea: Place the loose leaf tea in a heatproof pitcher or large glass jar. Pour the boiling water over the tea leaves.
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Steep Time: Let the tea steep for at least 5 minutes. Steep longer if you prefer a stronger flavor, but be cautious not to over-steep as it can result in a bitter taste.
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Strain: Once the tea has steeped, strain out the loose leaves using a fine-mesh sieve or a tea strainer.
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Sweeten (Optional): If desired, add sweetener to the hot tea while it's still warm. Stir until the sweetener is completely dissolved. Start with 2-3 tablespoons of sweetener, then adjust to taste.
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Cool: Allow the tea to cool to room temperature before refrigerating. You can speed up the cooling process by placing the pitcher in an ice bath.
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Chill: Once the tea has cooled, transfer it to the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour, or until thoroughly chilled.
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Serve: Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the chilled tea over the ice. Add lemon slices or mint leaves for garnish, if desired.
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Enjoy: Sip and enjoy your homemade iced tea!
Tips:
- Experiment with different types of loose leaf tea to find your favorite flavor combination.
- Adjust the sweetness and strength of the tea to suit your taste preferences.
- For a stronger brew, you can increase the amount of loose leaf tea or steep it for a longer period.
- Store any leftover iced tea in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.