Description
Refreshing Mint Iced Tea made using fresh spearmint leaves and black tea, sweetened to taste and served chilled. This versatile recipe can be prepared on the stovetop or with an iced tea maker, making it a perfect cool beverage for warm days.
Ingredients
Scale
Tea and Flavorings
- 2 quarts water
- 1 cup packed fresh spearmint leaves (removed from stems and rinsed well)
- 2 black tea bags (optional)
Sweetener
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (or to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare Water and Mint: Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot on the stovetop. Once boiling, turn off the heat, add the fresh mint leaves, and cover the pot to steep for 15-20 minutes, allowing the mint to infuse its flavor into the water.
- Add Tea Bags: Optionally add 2 black tea bags to the mint-infused water and steep for an additional 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags carefully to prevent bitterness.
- Sweeten the Tea: Stir in 1/2 cup of granulated sugar or adjust to your preferred sweetness while the tea is still warm, ensuring the sugar dissolves fully.
- Serve Immediately: Fill a large pitcher halfway with ice. Using a fine mesh strainer, pour the tea through to catch the mint leaves and any tea residue. Stir well, garnish optionally with lemon slices and extra fresh mint leaves, then serve chilled.
- Store for Later: If not serving immediately, allow the tea to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate in a covered container for up to 10 days to enjoy later.
- Using Iced Tea Maker: Fill the iced tea maker’s water reservoir to the 2-quart line and add ice to the pitcher as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Add sugar into the pitcher.
- Steep in Iced Tea Maker: Place a filter in the filter holder, add fresh mint leaves and the tea bags into it, then turn on the machine to brew the tea fully. After brewing, stir well, garnish with lemon and mint as desired, and serve chilled. Refrigerate leftovers and consume within 10 days.
Notes
- Adjust sugar amount based on your preferred sweetness level or substitute with honey or sweetener alternatives.
- Black tea bags are optional; the tea can be enjoyed purely as mint herbal iced tea.
- Using fresh spearmint leaves enhances the flavor significantly over dried mint.
- Store the iced tea in a sealed container to maintain freshness for up to 10 days in the fridge.
- For stronger mint flavor, increase steeping time or amount of mint leaves.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: mint iced tea, refreshing summer drink, spearmint tea, black tea iced tea, homemade iced tea, stovetop iced tea, iced tea maker recipe
