Simple Lemon Iced Tea

Here’s my go-to lemon iced tea recipe, with a simple method that combines fresh lemons, good quality tea, and just the right amount of sweetness for a refreshing homemade drink.

This iced tea is what my kids ask for all summer long. I usually make a double batch to keep in the fridge because it disappears so quickly. Nothing beats a cold glass of this on a warm afternoon, right?

What Kind of Lemons Should I Use?

Regular Eureka or Lisbon lemons from your grocery store work perfectly for this iced tea recipe – these are the common bright yellow lemons you’ll find year-round. If you want to experiment, Meyer lemons can add an interesting twist since they’re naturally sweeter and have subtle orange notes, though you might want to use less sugar in that case. When picking your lemons, look for fruits that feel heavy for their size and have a bright, firm skin without any soft spots. A good tip is to roll your lemons firmly on the counter before juicing – this helps break down the internal membranes and you’ll get more juice out of each fruit.

Options for Substitutions

Making this refreshing lemon iced tea but missing some ingredients? Here are some helpful swaps:

• Black tea bags: You can use loose leaf black tea (about 2-3 tablespoons) instead of tea bags. Green tea works too, but will give a lighter flavor – just steep for less time to avoid bitterness.
• White sugar: Feel free to use honey (start with ½ cup as it’s sweeter), agave nectar, or your favorite sugar substitute. If using artificial sweeteners, add them after the tea has cooled and adjust to taste.
• Fresh lemons: While fresh is best, you can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch – about ¾ cup equals the juice of 6 lemons. For the sliced lemons, you can skip them or use lime slices for a different citrus twist.
• Baking soda: This ingredient helps reduce bitterness, but you can skip it if you don’t have it. Just be extra careful not to over-steep your tea.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Brewing

The biggest mistake when making lemon iced tea is using boiling hot water to steep your tea bags, which can make your tea taste bitter and astringent – instead, let the water cool for about 2 minutes after boiling before adding the tea bags. Another common error is squeezing the tea bags when removing them, which releases bitter tannins; simply lift them out gently after steeping for 3-5 minutes. When adding lemon juice, wait until the tea has completely cooled to prevent the citrus from turning bitter, and remember to add the baking soda – this secret ingredient helps neutralize the acidity and prevents your tea from becoming cloudy when chilled. For the freshest taste, avoid storing the tea for more than 2 days in the refrigerator, and always taste-test the sweetness before serving since the cold temperature can dull the perceived sweetness.

What to Serve With Lemon Iced Tea?

This refreshing lemon iced tea pairs perfectly with light summer snacks and picnic favorites! A plate of butter cookies or lemon shortbread makes for a sweet afternoon treat alongside your tea, while cucumber sandwiches offer a classic tea-time combo that’s light and refreshing. For casual gatherings, serve this iced tea with salty snacks like pretzels or potato chips – the sweetness of the tea balances out the salt really nicely. If you’re hosting a summer lunch, this drink goes great with chicken salad sandwiches or fresh fruit platters.

Storage Instructions

Keep Cool: Pour your lemon iced tea into an airtight pitcher or container and keep it in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to 4 days. Pro tip: remove the lemon slices after 24 hours to prevent the tea from getting too bitter.

Make Ahead: You can prep this tea a day before your gathering – in fact, letting it chill overnight helps the flavors blend together nicely. Just add the fresh lemon slices right before serving to keep them looking pretty and fresh.

Serve: Give the tea a good stir before pouring, as some natural separation might occur. Serve over ice cubes, and if you’re feeling fancy, garnish with fresh lemon slices and maybe a sprig of mint. If it’s too strong after storing, feel free to dilute with a splash of cold water.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	10 minutes
Total Time	20-25 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 200-300
• Protein: 0-2 g
• Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50-70 g

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 3/4 to 1 cup white sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 10 black tea bags
• Juice from 6 fresh lemons
• 4 lemons, sliced

Step 1: Boil Water and Mix Ingredients

Start by bringing 4 cups of water to a boil.

In a large, heat-proof pitcher or jug, combine the boiling water with baking soda and sugar.

Stir well until the sugar is fully dissolved.

Step 2: Steep the Tea

Add the tea bags to the mixture in the pitcher.

Allow them to steep for about 10 minutes.

Remember, the longer you steep, the stronger the taste will be.

Once done, remove and discard the tea bags.

Step 3: Add Lemon Juice and Dilute

Pour in the lemon juice into the tea mixture.

Then, fill the remainder of the pitcher or jug with cold water to dilute the tea to your preferred taste.

Step 4: Chill the Tea

Place the pitcher in the refrigerator to chill thoroughly.

This will help enhance the flavors and make the tea more refreshing.

Step 5: Serve the Iced Tea

To serve, add lemon slices and ice to the glasses.

Pour the chilled tea over the ice and lemon slices in each glass.

Enjoy your refreshing homemade iced tea!