How to make iced tea
The method is straightforward. Brew the tea at its recommended temperature and steep time, but use a little more tea than usual. The ice will dilute as it melts, so a stronger brew holds up better in the glass. Remove the infuser, leave it to cool briefly, then pour over ice.
For a bigger batch, T2's Jug A Lot is the right tool for the job. A 1.75L jug with a built-in stainless steel infuser, it's designed to brew, cool, and refrigerate in the same vessel. The squared base fits neatly into most fridge doors, and there's enough for the whole day in a single brew.
For a full guide on ratios, timings, and the best blends to use, read How to Make Iced Tea.
Which teas work best
Any T2 tea can become an iced tea, but fruit blends are where the format really shines. The sweetness and brightness of fruit-forward teas — peach, mango, pomegranate, strawberry, mulberry — holds up beautifully over ice and often tastes more vivid cold than it does hot. Lemongrass and Ginger is another strong choice, bringing a warm brightness that translates surprisingly well to a cold glass.
Black teas work well too, coming through with more brightness and less of the depth of a hot cup. Green teas are light and clean over ice. The range here covers the fruit and herbal blends that suit the format best, but don't be afraid to experiment with any T2 tea you already love.
Iced matcha
Matcha works just as well cold. Whisk or shake matcha powder with a small amount of cold water until smooth, pour over ice, and top with cold water or milk to taste. T2's flavoured matcha powders: Peach Matcha, White Chocolate Matcha, Salted Matcha, and others Milkshake are well suited to iced matcha lattes and don't need anything added to make them work.
Cold brew
For a no-heat approach, T2's cold brew tea bags are specifically designed for cold water steeping. Add the bags to cold water, leave in the fridge for 6–8 hours or overnight, and the result is a naturally smooth, clean drink with no bitterness. Unlike iced tea, cold brew should not be made with hot water first.
For a step-by-step guide, read How to Make Cold Brew Tea.
FAQs
How do I make iced tea at home?
Brew your chosen tea at its recommended temperature and steep time, using slightly more tea than you would for a hot cup. Remove the infuser and allow to cool briefly. Pour over a full glass of ice and serve. For a larger batch, T2's Jug A Lot brews, cools, and refrigerates in one vessel, making enough iced tea for the whole day.
Which T2 teas work best as iced tea?
Fruit blends and herbal infusions work best over ice, their brightness and natural sweetness come through particularly well when cold. The loose leaf teas in this collection, including Packs a Peach, Fruitalicious, Pumping Pomegranate, Mangoes and Cream, and Lemongrass and Ginger, are all well suited to iced tea. That said, most T2 teas can be made into iced tea. Start with whatever you already enjoy and brew it a little stronger than usual.
What is the difference between iced tea and cold brew tea?
Iced tea is brewed hot at the tea's recommended temperature, then cooled and poured over ice. Cold brew tea is made using cold water from the start, steeped slowly in the fridge over several hours. Cold brew produces a naturally smooth result without any bitterness. T2's dedicated cold brew bags are formulated specifically for cold water steeping and should not be brewed hot.
How much tea should I use for iced tea?
Use roughly one and a half times the amount you would for a regular hot cup. A standard teaspoon per 200ml becomes closer to one and a half teaspoons, or add an extra teaspoon per 500ml when making a larger batch. The extra strength compensates for the dilution from melting ice, keeping the flavour present in the final glass.
