This versatile tea concentrate is the secret to making restaurant-quality iced tea at home. By boiling loose-leaf tea or tea bags with water, you extract a rich, full-bodied flavor that stays consistent even as ice melts. This method allows you to control the strength and sweetness of your final beverage perfectly. Ideal for hot summer days, parties, or everyday refreshment, this concentrate keeps well in the refrigerator, offering quick access to a smooth, clean-tasting drink without the bitterness often found in over-steeped brews. It pairs beautifully with lemon, mint, or fruit juices.
Tea Concentrate
Description
This versatile tea concentrate is the secret to making restaurant-quality iced tea at home. By boiling loose-leaf tea or tea bags with water, you extract a rich, full-bodied flavor that stays consistent even as ice melts. This method allows you to control the strength and sweetness of your final beverage perfectly. Ideal for hot summer days, parties, or everyday refreshment, this concentrate keeps well in the refrigerator, offering quick access to a smooth, clean-tasting drink without the bitterness often found in over-steeped brews. It pairs beautifully with lemon, mint, or fruit juices.Ingredients
Directions
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Combine tea and 5 cups of water in a 3- to 4-quart saucepan.
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Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
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Boil uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces to 4 cups (about 6-10 minutes).
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Remove from heat and immediately pour the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean container to remove tea leaves or bags.
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Cover the container and refrigerate the concentrate until completely cold, for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 12
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 853.6kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 50.4g78%
- Saturated Fat 21.1g106%
- Cholesterol 258.3mg87%
- Sodium 226.8mg10%
- Total Carbohydrate 0.0g0%
- Dietary Fiber 0.0g0%
- Sugars 0.0g
- Protein 91.3g183%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Storage: The concentrate will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Usage: To serve, dilute the concentrate by the pitcher or glass. The optimum dilution ratio for pouring over ice is about 1 part tea concentrate to 2 parts water and/or juice. Adjust sweetness and flavorings (like lemon or mint) to taste after dilution.
Ingredient Note: You can use either 1/4 cup of loose-leaf tea or 12 tea bags. If using loose leaf, ensure your strainer is fine enough to catch small particles.
