Lemon Iced Tea (Refreshing and Simple!)

When the sun is hot, you need a cool drink. Try my lemon iced tea! It is so good on hot days; I make it all summer.

You can make it fast. It takes just ten minutes to mix up. Then you wait for it to get cold.

You will love how the sweet tea and tangy lemon taste together. Kids and grown-ups both like this drink. I drink it on my porch when the sun is bright. You can make it at home easily!

Why You’ll Love Lemon Iced Tea?

This drink cools you down on hot summer days.
You can make it with just four simple things.
The taste is sweet and tangy in your mouth.
Kids ask for more when they try this drink.
You can make a big batch for your friends.
It stays good in your fridge for days.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Black tea powder or tea bags: This makes the tea base. You can use green tea if you like that better.
Sugar: Makes the drink sweet. You can use less if you don’t want it too sweet.
Lemons: Give that tangy zip that makes this drink so good. Fresh lemons work best.
Water: Use clean water for the best taste. You need this to make the tea.
Ice cubes: These keep your drink nice and cold. Use lots on hot days.

Equipment You’ll Need

Pot or pan: You need this to heat up the water. Pick one that holds plenty of water.
Spoon: Use it to mix all the good stuff together. A long one works best.
Strainer: This catches the tea bits so your drink is smooth. Metal ones work great.
Jar or pitcher: Store your tea in here. Glass jars show off the pretty color.
Glasses: For when you want to drink your tea. Tall ones hold more tea!

How to Make Lemon Iced Tea?

I really love making this tasty drink! It’s just five easy steps. So simple but so refreshing! Let’s start to make.

Step 1: Boil the water

Put water in a pot. Turn on the heat. Wait for bubbles to come up. The water needs to be hot to make good tea.

Step 2: Add tea and sugar

Turn off the heat. Put tea powder in the hot water. Add sugar too. Mix it all up with a spoon. Let it sit for five minutes.

Step 3: Add lemon juice

Pour fresh lemon juice into your tea mix. Stir it well. The tea turns a pretty color when you add the lemon juice.

Step 4: Strain and cool

Pour your tea through a strainer into a pitcher. Let it cool down at room temperature. This takes about an hour or so.

Step 5: Serve over ice

Put ice in glasses. Add lemon slices if you want. Pour in the tea. You can top with mint leaves too.

Tips for the Best Lemon Iced Tea

Use fresh lemons for the best taste. Squeeze them right before you make your tea.
Don’t steep tea too long, or it gets bitter. Four minutes is just right for most people.
Let the tea cool before you put it in the fridge. Hot tea in a cold fridge can make it cloudy.
Add lemon slices to your glass for extra lemon flavor, and it looks pretty too.
Try mint leaves on top for a nice smell and fresh taste that goes well with lemon.

Variations and Substitutions

Try honey instead of sugar for a different sweet taste. Add it when the tea is warm, not hot.
Add berries like strawberries or blueberries for a fruity twist. Mash them up a bit first.
Use lime juice if you don’t have lemons. It gives a different but still yummy tang.
Try green tea instead of black tea for less caffeine. It has a lighter taste too.
Add a cinnamon stick while the tea steeps for a warm spice note in your cold drink.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

Make a big batch on Sunday for the whole week. It saves time when you’re busy.
Keep in a glass jar with a tight lid in the fridge. This keeps it fresh longer.
Good for 3 days when stored right. The taste is still great on day three.
Don’t leave it out on the counter too long. The tea can start to go bad.
Freeze some in ice cube trays to add to your next batch. It won’t water down your drink!

Common Questions

You can use less sugar if you want. Start with 1/4 cup and taste. Add more if you like it sweeter. Some folks use just 2 spoons!

Fresh is best, but bottled works in a pinch. You might need less since it can be stronger. Start with 2 spoons and taste as you go.

Yes! Put tea bags in cold water overnight. Then add sugar and lemon juice. This makes a smooth tea with less work.

Add more water to fix too-strong tea. Mix well and taste. Keep adding small amounts until it tastes good to you.

Use herb tea bags instead of black tea. Mint tea or fruit tea works great and has no caffeine for kids or bedtime.

Lemon Iced Tea

This cool and zingy lemon iced tea hits the spot on hot days. With just four ingredients and ten minutes of prep, you'll have the perfect summer drink ready to enjoy!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Chill Time 1

Total Time 10

Course Drinks

Servings 4

Calories 102 kcal

Ingredients

5 1/4 cups water
2 tablespoons black tea powder
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons Lemon juice
Ice cubes as needed
lemon slices for garnish

Instructions

Heat the water in a pot until it bubbles and steams.
Add tea and sugar after turning off heat. Mix well and let sit for 4-5 minutes.
Pour in lemon juice and stir until everything mixes well together.
Strain the tea into a glass jar or pitcher and let cool at room temperature.
Add ice to glasses, put in lemon slices, and pour your cool tea over the ice.

Notes

Make it less sweet by using 1/4 cup sugar instead of 1/2 cup.
Try green tea for a lighter taste with less caffeine.
Add mint leaves on top for a fresh twist that looks pretty.
Store in fridge for up to 3 days in a closed container.