Homemade Sweetened Iced Tea
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Lightly sweetened, perfectly cold, there is nothing like Homemade Sweetened Iced Tea with fresh lemon for a refreshing drink in the summertime!
If you love drinks as much as I do, check out my Homemade Lemonade, Homemade Orangeade, or my Healthy Orange Julius.
I love sweetened iced tea. It was something my mom always made in the summertime. The lightly sweetened cool beverage with a little bit of sweet and tart lemon flavor will always be nostalgic for me!
And nothing has really changed as I always crave this during the summer months! This organic iced tea only requires 3 ingredients: black tea, cane sugar, and lemons. Try this homemade recipe instead of buying this cool drink this summer!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Cool Drink: Summer is for drinking – all kinds of drinks. There's nothing like a cold glass of sweet goodness when it's hot outside. And this Homemade Sweetened Iced Tea is incredibly nostalgic if you grew up drinking iced tea.
Easy AF: I use FGO Traditional Organic Iced Tea Pitcher Bags for this recipe. These are great to buy as they come with extra large tea bags specifically for brewing iced tea, so it makes it really easy! Plus, you can easily make organic iced tea at home, without all the crap the store bought varieties can have. I use just a couple simple ingredients in this homemade Sweetened Iced Tea recipe: organic tea, organic cane sugar, water, and just a splash of organic cream (if you want!).
Make Ahead: This organic iced tea recipe is a great recipe to make ahead of a backyard barbecue or party as it's sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Serve with Cream: You can serve this organic iced tea plain over ice, or you can also add in a splash of cream. We've been loving the new Organic Valley Creamer and it is so good in this homemade Sweetened Iced Tea! This addition makes for a creamy sweetened iced tea that is delicious.
Ingredients
- Tea Bags: I use FGO Traditional Organic Iced Tea Pitcher Bags. Be sure you are using iced tea bags, as this is the distinct flavor that you want. If you can't find these, you can also use smaller black iced tea bags as well, you'll just need more.
- Cane Sugar: I use organic cane sugar as it's less processed than granulated white sugar.
- Water: You'll need water to make the simple syrup and to add to the tea.
Tools Needed
- Scale: Always use a digital food scale for the best results.
- Small Pot: You'll need a small pot to heat the sugar and water which creates a simple syrup, this is how this iced tea is sweetened.
- Whisk: I use a whisk to whisk the simple syrup, but a spatula works too.
- Pitcher:Ā You'll need a pitcher to store this in.
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Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Add the tea bag and 2 cups boiling water into a pitcher, and allow tea bag to steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove tea bag.
Step 2
Add 1 cup water and the cane sugar into a medium saucepan. Put over medium heat and whisk until the sugar has dissolved completely. Add the simple syrup to the pitcher with the brewed tea and stir to combine.
Step 3
Add the remaining 5 cups water to the pitcher and stir to combine. Place in the fridge to until chilled.
FAQ's
Yes, while I use a specific iced tea bag, you can also use traditional tea bags as well. If you are using traditional tea bags, you will need to use more as they are single serve compared to the iced tea bag that I used here. Use 8 regular sized tea bags to replace the one that I use in this recipe. You can use any kind you like, black tea, green tea… whatever you choose will be the flavor of the tea.
Yes, if you want to skip the sugar completely you can do that for an unsweetened tea.
Yes, if you want to use less sugar, you can half the amount of sugar in this recipe or use however much you like. I have not tested this with less sugar, but the recipe will work, it just won't be as sweet.
This recipe is great to serve for a brunch or afternoon snack. I love enjoying this Iced Tea with my Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies or Traditional Butter Pound Cake for an afternoon snack!
Craving More?
Homemade Sweetened Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 1 FGO Traditional Organic Iced Tea Pitcher Bags (or 8 small black tea bags)
- 2 cups boiling water
- 6 cups water
- 170 grams cane sugar
Instructions
- Add the tea bag and 2 cups boiling water into a pitcher, and allow tea bag to steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove tea bag.
- Add 1 cup water and the cane sugar into a medium saucepan. Put over medium heat and whisk until the sugar has dissolved completely. Add the simple syrup to the pitcher with the brewed tea and stir to combine.
- Add the remaining 5 cups water to the pitcher and stir to combine. Place in the fridge to until chilled.
- Add in lemon slices (optional) and serve over ice. Add a splash of cream (optional)!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Perfect and nostalgic!