Springtime is here, and the cold weather is slowly creeping away. What better way to stay refreshed and enjoy the sun than with a delicious glass of iced tea? Refreshing and versatile, tea can be used in so many ways that it can feel overwhelming. To help you get started, we’ve put together some tea brewing basics, from water temperature to the perfect leaves, to ensure you brew the best-tasting tea. And what better way to use what you’ve learned than with tea recipes that are perfect for any time of day or gathering.
Getting your Brew On
Before starting, there are important things to remember when you begin to brew your iced tea to get the best results and most flavor.
-
Temperature of water: Certain teas require different heat levels in order to properly brew and to avoid burning the tea, causing a bitter taste.
- Water-to-tea ratio: Use one tea bag or one teaspoon of loose-leaf tea for every 6 ounces of water keeping in mind that ice may dilute your tea.
- Cooling your tea: Remove the tea leaves and allow it to cool to room temperature before placing it inside the fridge or adding any ice.
Tea Brewing Guide
- Use boiling water, around 212°F.
- Brew for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Use cooler water, around 175°F.
- Brew for 1 to 3 minutes.
- Use just under boiling water, around 205°F.
- 5 to 7 minutes brew time.
Mango Green Tea
Refresh your day with this naturally sweet Mango Green Tea! Featuring Full Circle Market Organic Green Tea Bags, ripe mangos, and a touch of organic raw honey, this vibrant drink is as wholesome as it is delicious. Perfectly chilled and lightly sweet, it’s a delightful way to hydrate and enjoy a fruity twist on a classic favorite
- Full Circle Market Organic Green Tea Bags
- Full Circle Market Organic Raw Honey
- Mangos
- Brew green tea following package instructions and chill in the fridge.
- Dice mango and add 1 cup to a blender with honey. Use more or less honey depending on how sweet you like it.
- Add diced mango to a glass, then some of the mango puree followed by ice. Pour in the green tea and stir well. Enjoy!
Milk Tea
Taste the perfect balance of smooth and sweet with our Milk Tea! With bold black tea, milk, and a touch of brown sugar, this classic drink is your go-to for a satisfying and refreshing treat.
- 2 Stater Bros. Markets black tea bags (or 2 teaspoons of loose-leaf black tea)
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup Stater Bros. Markets milk (whole milk, almond milk, or your preferred option)
- 1-2 tablespoons Full Circle Market organic brown sugar (or sweetener of choice)
- Ice (optional, for iced milk tea)
-
Boil 1 cup of water. Once it reaches a rolling boil, add the black tea bags. Let it steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea.
-
Remove the tea bags and stir in the brown sugar (or your preferred sweetener) while the tea is still hot. Mix until the sugar is fully dissolved.
-
Pour in 1/4 cup of milk. Stir until the milk is well combined with the tea.
-
If you prefer your milk tea cold, let it cool down to room temperature, then pour it over ice.
Lemon Tea Fizz
A refreshing and bubbly twist on classic iced tea, this fizzy drink combines the flavor of black tea with the zest of fresh lemon. Perfect for a hot day, this fizzy tea offers a delightful taste for everyone.
- 1 Stater Bros. Markets black tea bag
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 tablespoon honey or sweetener of choice
- 1/2 lemon, sliced (for garnish and juice)
- 1/2 cup Stater Bros. club soda (chilled)
- Ice cubes
-
Boil 1 cup of water and steep the black tea bag for 3-5 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea. Remove the tea bag let the tea cool to room temperature.
-
Stir in honey or your preferred sweetener while the tea is still warm, and mix until fully dissolved.
-
Squeeze the juice from half a lemon into the tea. Add a few slices to the drink for garnish.
-
Top it off with chilled club soda to create that refreshing fizz.
-
Stir gently to combine the flavors.
Thai Iced Tea
Taste the perfect balance of smooth and sweet with our Milk Tea! With bold black tea, milk, and a touch of brown sugar, this classic drink is your go-to for a satisfying and refreshing treat.
- 6 cups of water
- 12 Stater Bros. Markets black tea bags
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk
- ice
- Boil 6 cups of water and steep the black tea for 5 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea. Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool to room temperature.
- Stir in sugar while the tea is still warm and mix until fully dissolved.
- In a separate bowl, mix together 1/2 cup of half and half with 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk to prepare the creamer.
- Fill a tall glass with ice and pour in the cooled black tea, filling it about 3/4 of the way.
- Top it off with the chilled creamer, stir to combine.
Peach Raspberry Bellini Iced Tea
This delicious Peach Raspberry Bellini Iced tea is easy to make and the perfect drink to cool off. Made with frozen peaches and fresh raspberries, they create a fruity explosion.
- 2 bags of 16-ounce Stater Bros. frozen peaches
- 6 cups water plus one for syrup
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 family sized Stater Bros. cold brew black tea bags
- 1 6-ounce package of fresh raspberries
- ice
Syrup:
- Combine 1 cup of water, sugar, 1 bag of frozen peaches, and the package of raspberries in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium.
- Crush the peaches and raspberries as you stir to dissolve the sugar. Once the fruit is crushed and the sugar dissolved, turn off the heat, cover, and let it rest for about 30 minutes.
- Strain the syrup and set aside.
Tea:
- Brew the tea by adding cold water and cold brew tea bags to a pitcher. Let it steep for 5 minutes, then remove the tea bags.
- In the same pitcher, add ice, remaining frozen peaches, and both syrups. Stir and serve in glasses garnished with peach slices.
