Green tea is as healthy as it is good. Generally it is drunk hot, but it is also excellent served cold during the summer days; its characteristic flavor makes it a perfect refreshing drink. If you're not a fan of plain green tea, you can further enhance its taste by adding honey, lemon juice, or bits of ginger. You can also mix it with lemon juice to create a perfect recipe for the summer!
Ingrediants
Hot Brewed Iced Green Tea
- 950 ml of water
- 4-6 bags of Green Tea
- Ice
- Honey (to taste, optional)
Servings: 4
Cold Brewed Green Tea
- 1 bag of Green Tea
- 240 ml of water
- Ice
- Honey (to taste, optional)
Servings: 1
Lemon Flavored Iced Green Tea
- 120 ml of boiling water
- 1 bag of Green Tea
- 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, honey or a sweetener of your choice
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 240 ml of cold water
- Ice
Servings: 1 or 2
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Hot Brewed Cold Green Tea
Step 1. Bring 950ml water to a boil in a large pot
On the other hand, if you want to make a single serving of tea, 240 ml will suffice - you can boil the water in an ordinary kettle and then pour it into your cup.
Step 2. Remove the pot from the heat, then infuse the tea bags
The greater the number of sachets, the more intense the tea will taste. If you want to make a single serving of iced tea, you can only use one sachet.
Step 3. Wait 3 minutes
Do not leave the tea bags to infuse longer than the recommended time, otherwise the tea will take on an unpleasant bitter taste. If you want to give it a more intense flavor, increase the number of sachets instead of extending the brewing time.
Step 4. Remove the tea bags
If you wish, you can gently rock them in the water before taking them out of the pot to allow the tea to release all of its delicious aromas. Before throwing them, squeeze them lightly with your hands, letting the liquid fall into the pot below.
Step 5. Wait for the tea to reach room temperature before placing it in the refrigerator
Depending on the climate it could take up to an hour, so try not to be in a hurry, it is important that the tea cools down at least a little to avoid damaging the ingredients you store in the refrigerator.
Step 6. Wait for the tea to cool
Generally you will need to leave it in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours.
Step 7. Prepare four glasses
Pour in the desired amount of ice making sure there is enough space for the tea. If you're making a single serving, simply pour the ice into a tall glass of your choice.
Step 8. Pour iced tea into glasses, then add honey if desired
If you intend to keep some for later drinking, transfer it to a jug to store in the refrigerator. You will need to consume it within 3-5 days.
Method 2 of 3: Cold Brewed Green Tea
Step 1. Pour 240ml of cold (or room temperature) water into a tall glass
When you prepare tea with hot water, you risk bringing out its bitter taste. Otherwise, using cold water or water at room temperature, the tea takes on a more delicate taste.
If you want to make iced green tea for the whole family, replace the glass with a large pitcher. You will need 240ml of water for each person or serving
Step 2. Dip a tea bag in water, or the equivalent in leaves
Some people prefer to cut the sachet and pour the contents directly into the water.
- You will need one sachet for each serving of cold green tea.
- One tea bag is equivalent to 1 tablespoon (2-3 g) of loose leaf tea.
Step 3. Cover the glass, or pitcher, then refrigerate for about 4-6 hours
The tea will have time to release its delicate aromas into the water. If you wish, you can extend the brewing time up to eight hours for a more intense taste.
Step 4. Fill a tall glass with ice
If there are many people to serve, prepare the corresponding number of glasses. Typically one serving equals about 240ml.
Step 5. Remove the sachets
Squeeze them to extract any remaining liquid. If you've used loose leaf tea, don't bother filtering them for now.
Step 6. Pour the iced tea into glasses filled with ice
Having used the tea leaves, it will be sufficient to use a strainer to hold them. If they are finely crumbled, you may need to line the strainer with gauze or a coffee filter.
Step 7. If desired, sweeten the iced tea with honey
In this case it will be necessary to mix to help it dissolve. Iced tea is ready to serve and enjoy! If you've made plenty of it, you can refrigerate it for up to 3-5 days.
Method 3 of 3: Lemon Flavored Iced Green Tea
Step 1. Pour 120ml of boiling water into a cup
As you can see, a small amount of water is enough to start, but fear not, later you will have to add more.
Step 2. Add a green tea bag and 2 tablespoons of sugar if desired
If you prefer to use a different sweetener, such as honey, skip the sugar; you will add honey (or the selected ingredient) at the end of the preparation.
Step 3. Leave the sachet to infuse for 3 minutes, then remove it from the water
Squeeze it to extract any remaining liquid.
Step 4. Squeeze the juice from 2 lemons, then pour it into the tea
If you wish, you can also add zest to give the drink an even more sour taste.
Step 5. Add 240ml of cold water, then mix
It will serve to dilute the drink, while making it less sour.
Step 6. Fill 1 or 2 glasses with ice
The exact amount depends on your taste, the important thing is to leave enough room for the tea. The indicated doses allow you to prepare a single large portion or two small portions.
Step 7. Pour the lemon iced tea into glasses filled with ice
It may still be slightly warm, so don't worry if the ice melts a bit.
Step 8. Decorate, if desired, and serve
You can serve the lemon iced tea as it is, or you can add a pop of color to the glass. Traditionally, mint leaves and lemon slices are often added.
Advice
- Adding a few extra ingredients will give the drink even more flavor. Incorporate, for example, fresh mint leaves or slices of ginger at the time of the infusion.
- After adding the ice, you can further customize the taste of iced tea with one or more additional ingredients - for example with cucumber or lemon slices.
- There are multiple varieties of flavored green tea - mint, ginger, vanilla or lemongrass, etc. If you don't like the taste of classic green tea, you can replace it with a flavored one.
- Sugar is the most commonly used ingredient for sweetening tea, but honey is much healthier. In addition, its flavor combines perfectly with that of green tea.
