Lemon Iced Tea

three glasses of iced tea with lemon slices

This refreshing iced tea recipe is made with freshly squeezed lemon juice, sugar, and black tea. It's simple to make and can be enjoyed on a hot summer day!

5 from 9 votes

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Course: Kitchen Basics

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 5

Servings: servings

Calories: 218kcal

Author: Jennifer Stewart

Ingredients

8 1/2 Cups of Water divided
4 large Lemons
1 Cup Sugar
8-9 Regular Sized Lipton Tea Bags

Instructions

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 slices and mint. Enjoy!

Notes

This recipe uses standard size Lipton tea bags, however you can use the equivalent family size tea bags and chose from your your favorite type of black tea for iced tea!
Be sure the tea steeps for a full 5 minutes. Less steeping time will result in a weaker tea. Over steeping with cause the tea to become bitter.
For stronger tea, use less water.
To avoid watering down your tea, only add ice to serving glasses.
If you like a strong lemon flavor, consider adding a bit of lemon zest to the simple syrup.
No fresh lemons available? Substitute squeezed lemon juice with lemon juice concentrate. I don't recommend using lemon extracts
Make it sugar-free by using honey, or agave nectar. This might alter the flavor a bit, but the refreshing lemon tea flavor will still shine.
Do you like a really sweet tea? Feel free to add a bit more sweetener. Contrary, if you like a less sweet tea, feel free to use less sweetener.

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