15-Minute Iced Tea

By ClaudiaJan

Ingredients

• Using a 2-quart Pyrex measuring cup makes this tea a one-pot drink from brewing to pouring.
• 5 bags black tea
• 1 quart water
• 2 to 6 Tbs. sugar, optional (depending on desired sweetness)
• 1 quart ice cubes plus additional cubes for glasses

Details

Servings 8
Adapted from usaweekend.com

Preparation

Step 1

Place tea bags and water in a 2-quart Pyrex measuring cup. Cover with a small plate. Heat mixture on high power until very steamy, darkly colored, and water starts to move but not boil, about 190 degrees F., 8 to 10 minutes, depending on starting water temperature and power of microwave. Remove cup from microwave. Let tea steep for 3 minutes. Remove and discard tea bags to keep tea from getting bitter. Add desired amount of sugar; stir until dissolved. Add ice; stir until melted. Fill desired number of glasses with ice. Stir tea, pour over ice and serve immediately.

YIELD: 8 servings


Iced Tea with Lime and Mint

Follow recipe for 15-Minute Iced Tea; add a handful of mint sprigs (about cup) and 1 teaspoons finely grated lime zest to the tea as it emerges from the microwave. Cover and follow steeping instructions, straining lime zest (if you like but not necessary) and fishing out mint before serving.

Iced Tea with Orange and Cloves

Follow recipe for 15-Minute Iced Tea, adding 12 whole cloves along with the tea bags and 1 teaspoons of finely grated orange zest to the tea as it emerges from the microwave. Cover and follow steeping instructions, straining before serving.

Ginger Tea

Follow recipe for 15-Minute Iced Tea adding 6 to 8 ginger coins smashed with a knife blade to the tea as it emerges from the microwave. Cover and follow steeping instructions fishing out ginger before serving.