Iced Tea Concentrate is hands down the easiest way to have a cold pitcher of tea ready at all times. Mix it up with different flavor combos, infuse with fresh fruit and herbs, or add in flavored syrups. Looking for a way to serve homemade iced tea at your next party, shower, rehearsal dinner, picnic, or BBQ? Look no further!
Growing up my parents had iced tea in the fridge at all times. Usually it was my sister's job to keep a pitcher filled. At that time we boiled water on the stove and steeped the tea. Then you had to pour the hot tea into a pitcher and wait for it to cool. Too bad she didn’t know about this hack back in the day. It would have made her life easier.
This is a simple hack, yet TOTALLY life changing. We go through about a gallon of tea every day or two. It is so annoying to have to make a fresh batch Every. Single. Day. With this little trick I am able to have 3 gallons worth of tea concentrate in the fridge ready and waiting. Now I make up the jars once or twice a week and have tea all week.
Even better is using this method for serving tea to a crowd. It’s economical, easy, and can be dressed up or down depending on how you serve it. In the picture below (Be kind. This was pre-blogging days.), you can see how we used the iced tea concentrate at my niece’s bridal shower. It is in the jar on the left. The idea was to do a tea party, but since the summers here in the desert are 110º+, we opted to have iced tea as one of the options. To the left of the iced tea you can see bottles of flavored syrup that we dressed up for adding into the tea. It was a hit!
Instructions
Fill a glass jar with water. Next, you will need to add some tea bags and screw the lid on tightly. Out in the sun it goes for 4-6 hours. Once you bring in the jars, remove the lids and take out the tea bags. I give the tea bags a gentle squeeze to get the liquid out. Be careful though, if you squeeze too hard the tea bags will break. Little floaties in the tea is a no-go.
Alternatively, you can do this in the house. Follow the exact same amounts, but heat the water on the stove or in the microwave until hot but not boiling. Place tea bags in the water for an hour or two. Once you are ready, remove the bags. Pour the concentrate into a glass jar, screw on the lid, and store in the fridge.
Variations
Several years ago I learned a secret for great tea at a delicious Mexican restaurant near our family's summer vacation spot. They put in one family sized black tea bag along with the green tea and fruit tea bags. Before this I was trying to make fruit flavored iced tea with only green tea and fruit tea. It just wasn't quite right. The black tea bag adds the perfect touch.
**Keep in mind that 1 family sized tea bag=3 single size tea bags**
- Black Tea: 4 family sized black tea bags or 12 single sized black tea bags
- Green Tea: 12 single sized green tea bags
- Fruit Flavored Tea: 2 family sized black tea bags (or 6 single sized black tea bags) + 4 individual sized green tea bags + 2 single sized fruit flavored tea bags
- Favorite fruit flavors: Cranberry pomegranate, Wild Berry Zinger, Citrus Sunrise
Play around. Find the tea flavors and combinations that you and your family enjoy. It makes staying hydrated so much more interesting.
Questions & Answers
My rule of thumb is for every 2 cups of water I use 12 tea bags, which will make enough concentrate for 1 gallon of tea. As a note: 1 family size tea bag = 3 regular size tea bags. Exact combinations are listed below in the recipe card. One of the best parts of this method is its flexibility. Try mixing up different flavor tea bags. This really is more of a method than a hard and fast recipe. If you like your tea stronger then add an extra tea bag or two. If you prefer your tea lighter in flavor add one or two tea bags less. You get the idea.
It depends. If you are making this on the stove or in the microwave you can stir the sweetener into the water right when it gets hot. If you are allowing the sun to warm the water, then I would say follow the instructions in the recipe card below for making your own simple syrup.
The concentrate stays fresh in the refrigerator for about a week. Perfect for BBQ’s, parties, bridal and baby showers, rehearsal dinner, etc.
Figure out how many gallons you want to serve. This will vary depending on how many people are coming, how many varieties of drinks are being served, how long the event is, and how warm the weather is. So much for a definitive answer. 😉 Before throwing a party I always check out the beverages page on Ellen’s Kitchen site. It is a little old fashioned, but full of great information. Having said that I find her numbers to be a little on the high side. At least it’s a starting point.
Why, I am glad you asked. 😉 YES! It takes everyday iced tea up to a whole other level. Our favorites are mint, berries, and citrus. Sometimes I go wild and add in hibiscus flower, which also goes by Jamaica in the store. Delish! Place the fruit or herbs in the serving container before adding the water. Use a wooden spoon to smoosh around the fresh items to release their flavor. Then add in your water. Let it infuse for at least a couple hours before serving. If desired strain the tea before serving.
Perfect for a crowd!
- This Twice Baked Potato Bake goes perfectly with at a BBQ or as a side to grilled chicken and steak. Plus it is freezer friendly which makes it perfect for making ahead.
- Sweet, fresh fruit tossed in an irresistible 2 ingredient honey lime dressing. That’s what you get when you make this Summer Fruit Salad. Instructions are included for how to serve it to a large group.
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Make Ahead Iced Tea Concentrate
Ingredients
- 16 cups water
- 12 tea bags see below for combination ideas
Instructions
Sun Tea Concentrate
- Place 2 cups of water in a jar. Add the tea bags making sure to keep the paper tags out of the water. Screw on the lid tightly. Place in a bright sunny spot for 4-6 hours. Unscrew the lid and remove the tea bags, gently squeezing to remove excess liquid. Put the lid back on and store in the refrigerator for up to a week. When it is time to serve add the concentrate and 14 cups water to a gallon sized pitcher. Serve over ice.
Stove Top Tea Concentrate
- Place 2 cups of water in a pan. Heat water until it is almost boiling. Turn off heat and add the tea bags making sure to keep the paper tags out of the water. Allow to steep for 1-2 hours. Remove the tea bags, gently squeezing to remove excess liquid. Pour into a glass jar. Put the lid back on and store in the refrigerator for up to a week. When it is time to use Add the concentrate and 14 cups water to a gallon sized pitcher. Serve over ice.
Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.
Rachel says
Tried and true, especially since days are busy enough. Gives me a flavored drink for those days I'm craving soda but want a healthy and refreshing alternative! Really allows you to decide if you want to use caffeinated tea or to simply use herbal tea for an evening cup.
Misty says
Yes, great way to stay away from sugaring drinks. Glad you enjoy it so much!
Liksha Hoskins says
Warm the water in the microwave???? Why would you suggest that rubbish????
Danielle says
Where we live it gets very hot, so we try and keep anything off (like the stove) that releases heat. No worries though. Feel free to just set the jar in the sun or heat the water on the stove. Have a nice day!
Mrs. M says
Your recipe card says 16 cups but the article says 2 cups. Did you mean 16 oz.?
Misty says
Thanks for your question! The concentrate itself is made with two cups of water and 12 tea bags. The recipe card says 16 cups of water because you will need another 14 cups of water to turn the concentrate into iced tea when you are ready to serve it. I hope that answers your question!
shelby cross says
Great idea for party planning....genius. Our family uses a similar technique for tea, lemonade, juice and kool-aid...all concentrated in canning jars. We love variety! Each person makes a half glass of ice water and fills the rest with the concentrate of their choice. No big jugs in frig and its kind of pretty. I notice that kids eventually start watering down drinks more and more, which pleases mama!
Danielle says
This has come in handy for so many parties, events, and our Sunday Dinners. I hadn't considered just letting my family use a little bit of the concentrate straight from the fridge. That is genius! Love how we all can learn from each other. Thanks for your comment and have a blessed day!
Tina says
How many ounces for a 8 iz cup of tea?
Danielle says
I think you are asking how many ounces of concentrate to make an 8 ounce glass of tea. If so, you will need 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of concentrate and 7 ounces (a little over 3/4 cup) of water to make one 8 ounce glass of tea. Hope that helps!