Iced Tea was created in 1904 in St. Louis, MO but believe it or not it is actually drunk in a variety of countries including; Austria, Canada, China, Thailand and Turkey. In the U.S.  85% of all tea consumed is in the iced or sweet tea form. Many of my Tea Party Girl readers are in warm locations and are requesting some help making iced tea.

First off, let me start by saying the iced tea makers available at Target and Walmart, are NOT needed.  In fact they are NOT even good. (but that is another story)

So, it would be good to know how to make it right?

A quick and easy guide to making Iced Tea.  In this article I want to share two super cool secrets to making iced tea WITHOUT alot of time and energy.

Here’s what you will need:

 

Great Loose Leaf Tea. ( I suggest black tea for iced tea such as a Ceylon or a full bodied Kemun.)

A Large Tea Sac

A Pitcher of Filtered Water ( approx 2 quart)

 

Here’s what you do:

Place 16 teaspoons of loose leaf tea in a large tea sack.  Place in pitcher of cold water.  Make sure the tea sack is saturated with the water and place the tea pitcher in the fridge.  Wait overnight or 8 hours.

DONE!

 

Yep.  That is the way the professionals do it and you can too!  You don’t need an iced tea machine.  You don’t have to boil the water.  All you need to do is put it in the fridge and wait.

 

Can’t wait? (Try this neat trick!)

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s what you will need:

 

Loose leaf tea

A Martini Shaker – pre- chilled

Ice

Boiling Water

Teapot

Tea Sac or Tea Filter

 

If using a 4 cup teapot use 8 tsp. tea.  Brew the pot of tea using the tea sack or tea filter for the tea.  Use boiling water and steep for 5 minutes.  Fill the martini shaker with ice. Pour the tea over the ice in the martini shaker.  Put the top on the shaker and shake till the ice is melted and the tea is cool.

Pour the tea into a glass, add a sprig of mint, lemon or fruit.  Repeat.

 

Not only will you amaze your guests... you will look super cool doing this!

 

Like this?  Read these articles:

A Crash Course in Ceylon Tea

How to Make Inexpensive Iced Tea that Wows Your Friends

The Guide to Planning a Tea Party–Spring Edition

 

Tea Party Girl Asks: What is your favorite tea to use for iced tea?