Citrus Sweet Iced Tea
Classic Southern sweet tea gets a fresh twist with orange juice and slices of orange and lemon. It contains caffeine from the black tea. Scale the people count in the app to 2, 4, 6, or 8 — ingredients adjust from this base of 4 servings.
Open interactive cooker (change people count)
Food safety
Scrub the orange and lemon under running water before slicing. Refrigerate the tea once it is made instead of leaving it on the counter. This tea contains caffeine.
Allergens: None listed
Equipment
- medium saucepan
- heatproof pitcher
- long spoon
- knife
- cutting board
Ingredients (for 4 servings)
- 8 cups water, divided
- 6 black tea bags
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 4 cups ice cubes
Directions
1. Bring 4 cups of the water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat.
2. Remove from heat, add the tea bags, and steep 5 minutes. Lift out the bags without squeezing them.
3. Stir in the sugar until fully dissolved, then pour into a heatproof pitcher.
4. Add the remaining 4 cups cold water and the orange juice.
5. Scrub the orange and lemon under running water, slice thinly, and add to the pitcher.
6. Refrigerate for 1 hour until cold.
7. Serve over ice.
Skill taught
Steeping tea for the right time so it tastes strong but not bitter.
Affordable substitution
Use 2 family-size tea bags in place of 6 regular bags, and bottled orange juice.
Optional variation
Add a few sprigs of fresh mint with the citrus slices.
Leftovers & storage
Refrigerate in a covered pitcher at 40°F or below and drink within 3 days. Remove the citrus slices after 1 day so the tea does not turn bitter.