Lemon Iced Tea

The ultimate drink on a hot day, this sweet and tangy Lemon Iced Tea is so easy to make at home. I love to mix up a batch and keep it in my fridge, perfect to sip across the week or serve to your friends for a simple, refreshing drink at your next party.

Lemon Iced Tea: where did it come from?

Modern tea as we know it dates back to ancient China. However, the concept of chilling it to create a cool and refreshing iced version gained popularity in the United States during the 19th century. It was at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis that iced tea really came on to the scene. Due to an unexpected heatwave, hot tea wasn’t appealing to fair-goers. In a stroke of brilliance, vendors added ice to the tea, and voila! Iced tea was an instant hit.

Fast forward to today, and iced tea has become a global sensation, with variations aplenty. Lemon iced tea, perhaps the most common of flavours, can be seen on menus far and wide. A cool and refreshing non-alcohol beverage option for both children and adults alike.

Iced tea can be purchased at your local supermarket, or petrol station, fast food outlets and so on. But using a handful of ingredients, it is incredibly easy to make your own at home. You then have ultimate control over ratios, sweetness and flavour combinations.

The perfect drink for the Australian Summer

Ah, the Australian summer. As I write this, we are smack bang in the thick of it. Days are 30-35ºC on average and the humidity is through the roof. As the mercury rises and the pavement sizzles, the importance of staying hydrated cannot be overstated. Enter Lemon Iced Tea, a game-changer for those long, sweltering days.

Lemon, with its vibrant citrusy punch, not only adds a burst of flavour but also brings a host of health benefits to your drink. Packed with vitamin C, lemons are a refreshing way to boost your immune system. The natural acidity adds a zing that complements the soothing coolness of the tea and offsets the sweetness from the cordial. It’s not just about quenching your thirst; it’s a drink that keeps you feeling invigorated, even when the sun is relentless. And believe me, these days, it is.

The world is your iced tea

The beauty of this beverage lies not only in its simplicity but also in the creative freedom it offers. Experimenting with different teas allows you to tailor the flavour profile to your liking. My go to is black or English Breakfast tea for a strong and robust base or green tea for a lighter touch. However, using herbal teas like hibiscus or chamomile can bring a unique twist to the classic.

The sweetness of this recipe comes from flavoured cordials. Swap my suggestion of lemon with a splash of elderflower or ginger cordial for an added kick. Pineapple or passionfruit cordial with a hibiscus tea creates a delicious tropical concoction. The world of homemade Lemon Iced Tea is your oyster, offering a canvas for you to paint with flavours and create a refreshing masterpiece that suits your taste buds perfectly.

Ingredients

• Black tea bags
• Water
• Lemon juice
• Lemon cordial

See recipe card below for quantities.

Tip and variations

• Tea: swap tea bags for the equivalent teaspoons of loose-leaf tea (e.g. 4 teabags = 4 teaspoons of black tea). Green tea will give you a lighter drink, or herbal varieties like chamomile and hibiscus tea add a fun and fruity twist.
• Cordial: my preference is sugar free lemon cordial. Experiment with different types, sugar free or not, for a different taste. I love combining chamomile tea with elderflower cordial or green tea with lemongrass cordial.
• Sweetness: I use 100mL of cordial for this quantity of tea, which I believe gives you a balance of sweetness and tartness from the lemon juice. You can add more or less cordial depending on your preference. Alternatively, if you are serving guests who prefer sweeter tea, provide extra lemon cordial at the table to add to their individual glasses.

Equipment

• Measuring jug
• Spoon
• Large jug
• Cocktail shaker (optional)

Watch the video here. If you make this one, don’t forget to tag me on TikTok or Instagram. I love to see it!

📖 Recipe