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The #1 Best Way to Make Iced Tea Perfect Every Time

Making iced tea may seem like common knowledge, but you could be whipping up a stronger batch with this method.
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Is there anything better than a tall glass of iced tea on a hot summer's day? You can't beat that refreshing taste, and it makes for something special to sip on besides basic water when temperatures rise.

To help you make the best iced tea and know what you should and shouldn't do when brewing up a batch, we called on Marcos Ladd, the bartender at Cleo South Beach in Miami, Florida, to give us insight on how you can make the perfect iced tea at home with a simple recipe. Cheers!

How do you make the perfect glass of iced tea?

"The key to making the perfect iced tea is to always use very hot water to steep the teabags. In doing so, you ensure they release the full aromatic flavor," says Ladd.

He suggests letting the water boil for 10 seconds before pouring it into a pitcher with the tea bags.

"Another useful tip when making the perfect iced tea is to add a pinch of baking soda to the pitcher before you pour in the boiling water to steep the teabags," he says. "This neutralizes the tannins released into the pitcher, allowing it to be clear and not bitter."

Ladd also advises that if you are making iced tea using a rare tea, and not the traditional black tea, then you want to make sure you cut back on the amount of sugar you add because it will overpower the natural flavor and aroma of the tea.

The easy guide to cutting back on sugar is finally here.

What do you need for this iced tea recipe?

To brew up the perfect iced tea, you will need:

  • 3 cups of boiling water
  • 6-8 tea bags
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 5 cups of cool water
  • Sprinkle of baking soda

Ladd provided us with instructions on how you can easily make the perfect iced tea at home. This recipe will yield 1/2 gallon of iced tea, and you can always double or triple the recipe into larger batches for your next BBQ or pool party.

How to make iced tea

  1. Sprinkle the baking soda in an empty glass pitcher. Place the tea bags in the pitcher, and pour the boiling water over the bags, filling the pitcher.
  2. Cover the pitcher with a lid or a small plate, and let the bags steep for 10-15 minutes.
  3. Remove and discard the bags.
  4. Stir in the sugar until dissolved.
  5. Pour in the cool water.
  6. Stir.
  7. Refrigerate.

That's all it takes to make a refreshing glass of iced tea. Oh, and don't forget the lemon for a zesty accessory!

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Cheyenne Buckingham
Cheyenne Buckingham is the former news editor of Eat This, Not That! Read more about Cheyenne
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