How to make the Perfect Iced Tea

Iced tea is often considered something only for the summer months, or hot countries. In Britain we are certainly more accustomed to warming our hands around a lovely hot mug of tea, than sipping a cool glass of iced tea. The reverse is true in the USA where iced tea has long been more popular than hot tea, even in the colder regions and even in the winter. But it is often made with industrial teabags rather than the best loose leaf tea, and with rather a lot of sugar.

A real alternative

But its not any old iced tea. To change minds and win hearts it has to be the best iced tea.

The second strange notion we want to dispel is that its only English Breakfast tea that can be made into iced tea.

Our beautiful single estate black teas also make beautiful and very elegant, iced teas. Iced Earl Grey is one of our favourites and loose leaf green teas also make sublime iced tea. Iced white tea is delicious (and you don’t need to add any weird flavourings like the pre-bottled stuff). There is nothing to stop you but the breadth and depth of your tea cupboard.

We have a page here on how to make cold infused tea, but this does take some forethought. It takes at least 8 hours.

So we’ve come up with an à la minute guide to making iced tea. This method is for hot tea shaken over ice. You do need to adapt your tea recipe to compensate for the dilution of the ice - but it’s very quick and very easy.

1. The Kit

You need a cocktail shaker or a jam jar, ice and your normal teaware - a loose leaf teapot and tea strainer of a loose tea infuser. That's it.

2. The Infusion

The following quantities are to make a 300ml glass of iced tea. For black teas use 5g to 150ml of hot water (85 - 90°C / 185°F - 194°F) for 60 to 90 seconds depending on how strong you like your tea.

Our goal is make a strong infusion that can be quickly cooled and diluted by ice.

3. The Pour Over Ice

Pour over 150ml of ice cubes, then shake like crazy!

In about 20 seconds you will have a delicious, cold and refreshing glass of iced tea.

4. Strain & Enjoy!

Pour over ice or into a chilled wine glass.
(If you pour over ice your tea will dilute as your hand, or the weather, warms the drink. We highly recommend thinking of your delicious iced tea like wine - and drinking it chilled rather than icy.)

All that's left to do is enjoy!

Other Quantities
For green and white teas use 4g to 150ml of hot water at 70°C (158°F) for around 90 seconds.

For oolongs use 6g to 150ml of hot water at 90°C (194°F) for around 90 seconds.

For herbal infusions double the recommended grams for making a hot infusion – to 150ml of hot water at 100°C (212°F) for around 90 seconds.