Lemon Iced Tea Recipe

Lemon Iced Tea with homemade lemon syrup and black tea. Fresh, sweet, citrusy, ready in 10 minutes!

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Course: Drinks and Cocktails

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 10

Servings:

Author: Jennifer Stewart

Bring 8 cups of filtered or spring water to a boil on stovetop.
Once the water has come to a boil, turn off heat and add tea bags to the hot water. (note: be sure to fully submerge teabags into the water)
Cover and let tea steep for 5 full minutes.
Once the tea has finished steeping remove the tea bags gently pressing any liquid from them.
In another pot, measure 1/2 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1/2 cup of water, and 1 cup of sugar directly into the pot.
Then, turn the heat on low and gently stir until the sugar has fully dissolved. Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool enough to handle.
Gently blend by pouring lemon and sugar mixture into the tea and stir together.
Pour tea into a refrigerator safe pitcher with an airtight lid and refrigerate until cold! To serve, pour over ice and garnish with fresh lemon

Use filtered or spring water for best-tasting tea. Water quality matters!
Steep tea for full 5 minutes - less makes weak tea, more makes bitter tea.
Fully submerge tea bags in hot water for proper steeping.
Press liquid from tea bags gently when removing. Be careful not to break the bag.
Use fresh squeezed lemon juice for best flavor.
Add lemon zest to simple syrup for stronger lemon flavor.
Use standard or family-size tea bags - your choice!
Only add ice to serving glasses, not the pitcher, to avoid watering down.
Adjust sugar to taste - more for sweeter, less for less sweet.
Use honey or agave nectar instead of sugar for different sweetness.