Refrigerator-Brewed Sweet Iced Tea
This recipe outlines a simple method for making refreshing refrigerator-brewed sweet iced tea. Cold-steeping tea bags with fresh orange and plum creates a smooth, fruity base, which is then sweetened with sugar and finished with a bright hint of lemon, perfect for a cool beverage.
Equipment
- 1 Large Pitcher Capacity of at least 2 quarts
- 1 Sharp Knife For fruit preparation
- 1 Cutting Board For safe fruit slicing
- 1 Long Stirring Spoon For dissolving sugar and occasional stirring
Ingredients
Main
- 1 orange
- 2 to 3 plums
- 8 tea bags recommended: Lipton
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 lemon
Instructions
- Fill a large pitcher with 2 quarts of cold water. Quarter orange, squeeze juice into pitcher as well as add the peels. Pit and cut plums into wedges and add to the pitcher. Cut the strings off the tea bags and mix the bags into the liquid. Let tea steep in the refrigerator 8 hours or overnight, stirring occasionally.
- When ready, remove orange peel and tea bags from pitcher. To the tea, stir in sugar until it dissolves. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice from 1 half into the tea. Slice the other half into rounds and add to the tea. Serve over ice.
Notes
Cold brewing tea yields a smoother, less bitter beverage compared to hot brewing, as it extracts fewer tannins. Ensure all sugar is fully dissolved by stirring thoroughly, especially since the liquid is cold. For a brighter citrus note without potential bitterness, consider grating a bit of orange zest into the pitcher alongside the juice, and then removing the zest with the peels before serving. If you prefer a less sweet tea, start with slightly less sugar and adjust to taste before serving. The fruit infusion is key, so allow adequate steeping time. Feel free to experiment with other stone fruits or berries for varied flavor profiles.