Lemon Iced Tea Recipe

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Cool, tangy, and just the right amount of sweet—this Lemon Iced Tea is perfect for cooling down on a hot day or for a quick, refreshing break. Making it is easy and you can tweak it to suit your taste. Plus, it’s a great way to stay hydrated and enjoy a classic favorite.

Two glasses of lemon iced tea garnished with lemon wedges sit on a wooden surface next to a white cloth. A pitcher filled with iced tea is in the background. Lemon slices are scattered around, enhancing the refreshing and citrusy presentation.

I make this lemon iced tea on many sunny afternoons and it never fails to hit the spot. It’s wonderfully refreshing, with just enough zest from the lemon to wake up your taste buds. This tea is especially perfect during the hot summer months, but honestly, it’s a great choice any time you’re craving something refreshing. Personally, I don’t like it overly sweet or overpowering with lemon, so 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of lemon is my perfect ratio, but of course, adjust it to your preferences.

Contents hide

1 Why you will love brewing this tea

2 Key ingredients and substitutions

3 How to brew this lemon iced tea recipe

4 Recipe notes and tips

5 Variations

6 Storage instructions

7 Frequently asked questions

8 More tea recipes you will love

9 Lemon Iced Tea Recipe

Why you will love brewing this tea

Quick to make: It only takes a few minutes to prepare, plus cooling time.
Customizable: Easily adjust the sweetness or tartness to your liking.
Refreshing: Lemon ice tea is perfect for hot weather or when you need a quick refresh.
Healthy option: A great alternative to sugary drinks, packed with Vitamin C.

Key ingredients and substitutions

Water: The base of the tea; use filtered water for the best taste.
Loose tea or tea bags: Either works great. Black tea is common, but green tea is a lighter alternative. You can also use either caffeinated or decaffeinated tea. Decaf is great for hot evenings.
Fresh lemon juice: Adds the essential zesty flavor. Fresh is best, but bottled can work in a pinch.
Sweetener of choice (optional): Sugar, honey, simple syrup, or a sugar substitute can be used. Adjust according to your taste. I like to use liquid stevia.
Baking soda (optional): A pinch can smooth out any bitterness from the tea.

How to brew this lemon iced tea recipe

Boil the water: Start by bringing your cold water to a boil using a pot, stovetop kettle, or electric kettle.
Prepare the tea: Pour the boiling water over the tea bags in a large pot or heat-safe jug. If you’re making sweet tea, this is a good time to add your sugar or sweetener as well, as it dissolves easier in hot water.

A close-up of a stainless steel pot filled with vigorously boiling water on a gas stovetop. The rolling bubbles and steam rising from the water indicate high heat, contrasting sharply with a nearby glass of refreshing lemon iced tea. The stove's metal burners and part of a speckled counter are visible in the background.

A close-up of a metal measuring cup filled with white sugar, held over a large pot of lemon iced tea. The pot is on a stovetop, and the background shows a beige speckled countertop.

Steep the tea: Let the tea bags steep for at least 10 minutes. If you prefer a stronger flavor, leave them in longer.
Remove the tea bags: After steeping, take out the tea bags to prevent the tea from getting too bitter.
Add lemon juice: Stir the lemon juice into the hot water, adjusting the amount to suit your taste for tartness.
Adjust sweetness: Now is the time to taste and adjust your sugar or sweetener. Stir well so the sugar dissolves.
Fix any bitterness: If your tea tastes a bit bitter, a small pinch of baking soda can help neutralize this.

A metal slotted spoon holds a soaked, crumpled tea bag above a pot filled with dark brown liquid, likely brewed lemon iced tea. The surface of the liquid reflects light, and the spoon appears to be wet.

A metal spoon pours a yellow lemon juice, into a pot of dark tea.

Cool down: Let the hot tea come to room temperature, then chill it in the fridge or serve over ice cubes.
Enjoy: Serve in tall glasses with a slice of lemon or mint sprigs for an extra touch of freshness.

A glass of lemon iced tea with a lemon wedge on the rim sits on a wooden surface. A white cloth is partially visible to the side, and additional lemon wedges are in the background.

Recipe notes and tips

Tea quality matters: Using high-quality tea bags or loose leaf tea can significantly enhance the flavor of your iced tea.
Steeping time: Be careful not to over-steep as it can make the tea bitter. Start checking at 10 minutes and adjust according to your taste.
Chilling: For the best flavor, let the tea cool to room temperature before refrigerating to prevent it from becoming cloudy.
Lemon freshness: Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives the best flavor, but ensure no seeds get into your tea.
Don’t add lemon slices: Use lemon slices just for garnish as it can turn the tea bitter.
Unsweetened iced tea: Just leave out the sugar or sweetener if you prefer it unsweetened.

Variations

Minty Lemon Iced Tea: Add fresh mint leaves during the steeping process for a refreshing mint twist.
Ginger Lemon Iced Tea: Include a few slices of fresh ginger with the tea bags to infuse a spicy kick.
Berry Lemon Iced Tea: Toss in a handful of fresh or frozen berries for a fruity version.
Honey Lemon Iced Tea: Use honey instead of sugar for a smoother, richer sweetness.
Spiced Lemon Iced Tea: Add a cinnamon stick and a few cloves during steeping for a warming spice flavor.
Tropical Lemon Iced Tea: Mix in a splash of coconut water and a few pieces of pineapple for a tropical taste.

A glass of lemon iced tea is being filled from a pitcher. The tea is amber-colored with lemon slices floating in it. A white cloth and lemon slices are visible in the background on a light wooden surface.

Storage instructions

Refrigerate: Keep leftover iced lemon tea in a sealed pitcher or bottle in the refrigerator.
Duration: Properly stored, the iced tea will stay fresh and tasty for up to 5 days.
Avoid direct sunlight: Store the iced tea away from direct sunlight to maintain its flavor and prevent spoilage.
Do not freeze: Freezing lemon iced tea can alter its flavor and clarity, so it’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.

Frequently asked questions

Can lemon iced tea be made in advance?

Absolutely! Prepare it a day in advance and keep it chilled for ready-to-serve convenience at gatherings or for daily enjoyment.

How can I make my iced tea clearer?

To prevent cloudiness, make sure the tea has cooled to room temperature before refrigerating.

Why do you add baking soda to iced tea?

A pinch of baking soda helps to neutralize the bitterness and improve the smoothness of the tea.

A clear glass pitcher filled with lemon iced tea and lemon slices stands on a light wooden table. A lemon slice is perched on the rim of the pitcher. Extra lemon slices and a white cloth are placed on the table around the pitcher. The background is a light brick wall.

More tea recipes you will love

Sumac Tea (tastes like a herbal lemon iced tea)
Iced Chai Latte
Unsweetened Iced Tea
Chai Concentrate
Loaded Tea Recipe

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