The Forever-Perfect Iced Tea
The Forever-Perfect Iced Tea
Hot tea is great, but sometimes, don’t you just wanna chill out with something a little more refreshing? Ice ice, baby, will do it for ya.
Adornleaf Tea Co. pre-made iced tea have been a hit at every event we’ve done, especially the Jaguar Boost. I mentioned to you all once that the secret to making a good, flavorful iced tea isn’t a secret at all. It’s the simplest, most abundant and most scarce resource afforded to us all.
TIME.
Let’s start with a little of the obvious. It takes time to steep blended tea. It takes time to sweeten it to your individual liking. It takes time for it to coo and for its intricate flavors to set in. Blended tea, like Mull It Over, Jaguar Boost, and all of the rest, are made of three or more herbs each. Each of these herbs has its own unique healing qualities and its own individual aroma and flavor. In order for each of these herbs to play with each other and let their presence be felt in a gallon-or-more pitcher of tea in which there’s likely to be ice, you’ve got to let them get well acquainted.
So whenever we are making large quantities (3+ gallons) for an event or a workshop or anything in which we’ll be dispensing cups over ice, we’ve come to realize that’s it’s best to start the process early. But what if you’re only in need of a pitcher or two for a dinner or a brunch or a garden party? The recipe below will set you straight for however much you need.
The Forever-Perfect Iced Tea
(using Adornleaf Tea Co. Bagged or Loose Tea)
1) Use 4 teaspoons of loose tea per quart of filtered warm water OR 2 Adornleaf Tea Co. tea bags per quart of filtered warm water.
2) Allow loose tea or tea bags to be completely submerged in brewing water.
3) Use ½ cup of unrefined sugar OR ¾ cup honey to sweeten your tea if desired while water is still lukewarm. Adjust as needed to preferred taster.
4) Allow loose tea or tea bags to remain in sweetened tea for 2-8 hours inside or outside the refrigerator.
5) After brewing time has completed, be sure to stir vigorously.
TIPS
-For large quantities (1 gallon or more), an extra tea bag OR teaspoon of loose tea can help to stretch the flavors. Like coffee, tea needs to be customized in order to be enjoyed.
-Unsweetened tea is also an option for those looking to cut sugar in their diet.
-Tea can be stretched with water once its brewed to create more or dilute the taste.
-Quick iced tea can be made following standard brewing instructions before refrigerating.
-A note: Standard tea bags are made for 8 oz. of water; Adornleaf Tea Co. tea bags are made with 2 tsp. of tea and can be used for 8-16 oz. of water.
These are just a few general guidelines that I have found to work well for me, but as usual, I’m always willing to encourage you all to seek your own sources. There’s an abundance of blogs and resources that give different versions of iced tea recipes, and so I have no doubt that you’ll find one that suits you best!