Lemon Iced Tea: the refreshing, sweet drink recipe perfect for summer

When it comes to refreshing summer drinks, ice tea definitely comes out on top. If there’s one recipe you should have in your repertoire this season, it’s this one for Lemon Iced Tea. The recipe is super easy to make, and even easier to customize to your liking.

It’s an easy, refreshing drink recipe—perfect for summer! You only need a few basic ingredients like water, lemons, sugar, lemon juice, and black tea. Steep the tea bags in the hot water, add lemon juice, and you’re done! The flavor of the tea is sweet and fruity, and it will soon become your favorite summery drink!

Lemon Iced Tea Ingredients

Water – used to make the tea; filter water will taste better than tap water.

Tea – use black tea bags.

Lemons – you’ll need fresh lemons for this recipe, don’t substitute with store-bought lemon juice.

Sugar – to sweeten the tea.

How To Make Lemon Iced Tea

Prepare the lemons. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the zest from the lemons. Juice the lemons and set aside. Prepare the steeping water. Pour the water into a saucepan over medium heat. Add the lemon zest to the water, then add the sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then transfer to a large bowl. Add the tea bags and allow to cool.

Make the tea. Once the mixture has steeped to the desired strength, pour it through a sieve. Add the lemon juice and stir. Serve the tea in a glass with extra ice.

Tips For Making Sweet Lemon Iced Tea

You can leave out the sugar, and use an alternative sugar instead.

If you find that the tea becomes bitter, add a bit of baking soda. It neutralizes some of the tannin taste in the tea and will therefore taste better.

The longer the tea steeps, the stronger it will be.

For better quality, you can use loose tea leaves.

To make it sugar-free, use stevia or another sugar alternative.

Lemon Iced Tea Variation Ideas

Make lemon and honey flavor by skipping the sugar, and adding honey instead.

Instead of using black tea, feel free to use fruit-infused teas or green tea.

Don’t have lemons? Use other fruits like oranges, tangerines, or limes.

How To Store Lemon Iced Tea

Store the tea in a pitched (with a lid) in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Instructions

Pour one liter water into a saucepan over medium heat.

Use a vegetable peeler to remove the zest from the lemons.

Add the zest to the water, and add the sugar.

Allow the mixture to boil, then pour into a glass bowl.

Add the tea bags and allow to cool.

Remove the tea bags and add the lemon juice.

Pour the tea through a strainer into a glass bowl.

Serve the tea in a glass with extra ice.

Notes

Don’t use store-bought lemon juice for the iced tea. It usually contains additives that may affect the tea’s flavor.