Cold drinks and summer sure go together, and this is the go-to beverage at our house. Unfortunately I am not much of a water-drinker but I do love a good iced tea. I’ve been making this simple light tea for a few years now and try to keep a pitcher of it in the fridge during the summer. The whole family loves it. You can double the sugar for a “sweet” tea. (The family loves this even more.)
Unembellished Iced Tea
1/2 gallon ice
1/2 gallon water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup loose green tea
Fill gallon pitcher half full of ice. Place in sink with a mesh strainer over the top lined with a damp paper towel. Stir sugar into water and bring to a boil, then remove from heat and stir in tea. Let steep for just a couple of minutes, then pour through strainer into pitcher. Chill completely. This also dresses up nicely with a stem of mint or a twist of lemon.
Where do you like to get loose green tea?
For years, I have ordered it cheaply from Herbalcom. This year I splurged and got some nice organic tea from Savvy Teas and Herbs. (I have friends that know the owner.) Another place that has bulk, loose-leaf, reasonably-priced tea is the San Francisco Herb Co. I might try them next. The tea from Herbalcom is very finely cut, like what you see in a teabag. It wouldn’t be considered a quality tea, but it’s great when you have guzzling kiddos, and you go through it quickly. 🙂
I have been using larger-leafed teas recently and found pouring it directly through the paper towel doesn’t work very well. I scoop out the bulk of the tea leaves with a handled strainer first, and then pour through the towel when there’s mostly “tea-dust” left.