Homemade Lemon Iced Tea Recipe | CookOS

Lemon Iced Tea

Name: Homemade Lemon Iced Tea Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 5 cups water; 4 black tea bags; 8 lemons, for juicing; 2 cups granulated sugar; ice, to fill pitcher 3/4 full; 2 lemons, sliced for garnish

This homemade lemon iced tea combines steeped black tea with freshly squeezed lemon juice and sugar for a refreshing, balanced drink that beats store-bought versions every time.

🌍American 🏷️Lemon iced tea 🏷️Iced tea 🏷️Sweet tea 🏷️Southern 🏷️Lemon Summer drink

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Total

20 min

Servings

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$14–$23

Recipe Source

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Ingredients

5 cups water
4 black tea bags
8 lemons, for juicing
2 cups granulated sugar
ice, to fill pitcher 3/4 full
2 lemons, sliced for garnishoptional

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Instructions

1
In a saucepan, bring 5 cups of water to a boil.
2
Once boiling, add 4 tea bags. Remove the pot from the heat, cover, and let it steep for 5 minutes.
3
While the tea is steeping, peel and quarter 8 lemons.
4
Juice the quartered lemons using a juicer.
5
In a large pitcher, add 2 cups of sugar.
6
Fill the pitcher about three-quarters full with ice.
7
Slice the remaining 2 lemons and add them to the pitcher for garnish.
8
Pour the hot, steeped tea into the pitcher over the sugar and ice.
9
Pour the fresh lemon juice into the pitcher.
10
Stir everything together until the sugar is completely dissolved.
11
Serve cold and enjoy.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Dissolve sugar into the hot tea immediately after brewing to ensure it fully dissolves and distributes evenly.
Chill the brewed tea before adding ice to prevent dilution as the ice melts.
Juice lemons just before adding them to preserve brightness and prevent oxidation.
Fill the pitcher 3/4 full with ice so the tea doesn't become too watered down as ice melts over time.

Substitutions

Black tea bags → Green tea bags or herbal tea (changes flavor profile and caffeine content)
Granulated sugar → Honey or simple syrup (use slightly less as these are already liquid)
Fresh lemon juice → Fresh lime juice (creates a different citrus flavor)

Storage & make-ahead

Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep lemon slices separate and add fresh ones when serving to prevent browning.

Common Questions

How long does it take to make lemon iced tea?

About 15-20 minutes total: 5 minutes to brew the tea, plus cooling time and mixing. You can speed it up by chilling the brewed tea in the freezer for 5-10 minutes.

Can I make lemon iced tea ahead of time?

Yes. Brew the tea and refrigerate it plain for up to 3 days, then add lemon juice and sugar fresh when serving to prevent the tea from becoming bitter.

What's the best way to sweeten lemon iced tea?

Dissolve granulated sugar into the hot brewed tea while it's still warm so it dissolves completely. Stir in lemon juice after the tea has cooled.

How much lemon juice should I use?

This recipe uses 8 lemons for juicing. Start with 1 cup of juice and taste, then adjust to your preference—some prefer more tartness, others more sweetness.