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How to make
iced tea

Welcome to the T2 iced tea guide. With years of iced tea brewing under our belts, we’ve picked up a trick or two on how to get it just right – we’re passing on everything we’ve learned, so follow our lead!​

Different ways to make iced tea

There’s two ways we make iced tea, we either use what we call our classic method or the Cold Brew method.

The Cold Brew method uses our Cold Brew collection. It is quick and easy – it involves adding the Cold Brew tea bag to chilled water for 10 minutes or until the tea has reached your desired flavour. Remove the tea bag and it’s ready to drink – so simple!

Our classic method, with full instructions below, uses any of our blends – black, green, fruit or herbal tisanes, in either tea bags or loose leaf. This method can make a small jug for yourself, enough to share or a large batch to have in the fridge throughout the week.

Please note, our instructions below uses a T2 Teamaker and a T2 Jug-A-Lot, but if you don’t have these tools, it can easily be made in a regular teapot too.

Tip

Brew tip from our tea sommelier

To make iced tea with a strong, vibrant flavour, the process is like making cordial. First, you need to brew an extra strong tea concentrate, then you can add ice while maintaining that full flavour.

Customise and create your own flavours by blending different teas. Start experimenting by adding fruit tisanes to a black tea, or herbal blends to green tea, the combinations are endless.

How to make iced tea

Serves 2 people
Ingredients
  • Tea of choice
  • Water
  • Ice
  • Fruit to garnish
Tools
  • T2 Teamaker
  • 2 heatproof glasses
Tip
For fruit tisanes, you can brew them longer for an even stronger brew.
Serves 3-4 people
Ingredients
  • Tea of choice
  • Water
  • Ice
  • Fruit to garnish
Tools
  • 1.2L or 2L T2 Jug-a-lot
  • Glasses
Tip
For fruit tisanes, you can brew them longer for an even stronger brew.
  • 1

    Add 2+ teaspoons or 2+ tea bags of tea to the top of your Teamaker. Carefully fill it with hot water at the recommended temperature.

    If you like your iced tea stronger, add 3-4 teaspoons of tea.

    Stick to the recommended water temperature to allow the tea to release it’s very best (and non-bitter) flavours. Brew black tea, herbal and fruit tisanes are at 100°C, brew green and white teas at 80°C.

    Ensure you are using a heat-proof brew tools, the Teamaker is safe for boiling water.

  • 2

    Infuse for the recommended time.

    Find your tea’s unique brew time and temperature on the back of the box. Green, black and oolong tea have strict brew times (usually between 2-5 minutes) to avoid over-brewing, which can lead to a bitter taste – so use a timer to be safe. Fruit tisanes are more flexible (3+ minutes), as they rely on fruit and herbs which deepen with longer brewing times.

  • 3

    Add ice to two heatproof glasses, then sit the Teamaker on top of each glass to dispense the tea.

    The Teamaker’s clever design makes this step simple and satisfying. The tea begins to cool as to flows from the Teamaker, and once it hits the ice it instantly cools to create iced tea.

    If you have extra time up your sleeve, let the tea cool in the tea maker – this can help give your iced tea a stronger flavour by preventing the ice from melting.

  • 4

    Top with fresh fruit to garnish.

    Different garnishes can bring out tea’s most complex and delicious tastes. Start simple with a slice of lemon, then experiment with berries, citrus varieties and even tapioca pearls to make a boba iced tea. Learn more with our garnish guide.

  • 1

    Remove the lid of your Jug-A-Lot and add 2+ teaspoons of tea, or 2+ tea bags, per 250 ml/8.4fl oz to the infuser.

    That’s 10 teaspoons or tea bags for a small 1.2L Jug-A-Lot, or 16 teaspoons tea bags for a 2.0L large.

  • 2

    Half fill the jug with hot water and infuse for the recommended time.

    Stick to tea tea’s recommended water temperature to allow the tea to release it’s very best (and non-bitter) flavours. Brew black tea, herbal and fruit tisanes are at 100°C, brew green and white teas at 80°C.

    Ensure you are using a heat-proof brew tools, the Jug-A-Lot is safe for boiling water.

    Find your tea’s unique brew time and temperature on the back of the box. Green, black and oolong tea have strict brew times (usually between 2-5 minutes) to avoid over-brewing, which can lead to a bitter taste – so use a timer to be safe. Fruit tisanes are more flexible (3+ minutes), as they rely on fruit and herbs which deepen with longer brewing times.

  • 3

    Once the tea is brewed into a strong concentrate, remove the tea infuser from the Jug-A-Lot, discarding the used tea leaves. Then, leave to cool on the bench

    Let the tea fully cool before moving onto the next step – this can help give your iced tea a stronger flavour by preventing the ice from melting when added.

  • 4

    Add ice and fruit to garnish. Screw the lid on, leaving open just enough to pour into glasses.

    Different garnishes can bring out tea’s most complex and delicious tastes. Start simple with a slice of lemon, then experiment with berries, citrus varieties and even tapioca pearls to make a boba iced tea. Learn more with our garnish guide.

Recommended teas for iced tea ​

Every blend can be made into iced tea, but some work particularly well chilled. Black tea is famously delicious with ice, the bold taste of black tea leaves is softened when iced, and it mixes well with sweet fruits and garnishes. Fruit tisanes are our most flavour-forward blends, they are available in with tastes of different fruits and desserts. These are great for kids, and a great alternative to overly sweet soft drinks. Green tea is a lighter option for iced tea, it’s naturally slightly sweet and loved for it’s refreshing notes.

Tip

Brew tip from our tea sommelier

When making iced black tea, a favourite in the T2 office is Assam – it’s bold, malty, and slightly sweet, it’s the perfect iced tea base. Add a squeeze of lemon to enhance its malty flavours.

Gorgeous Geisha iced is also on regular rotation. It’s a luscious green tea with strawberries that add a sweet, fruity touch—perfect for a refreshing sip. As it is already infused with fruits, you don’t need to garnish this tea which makes it all the more easy to make.

Packs A Peach is an original favourite of ours for making iced tea. It tastes sweet and juicy, perfect for pairing with fresh peach slices and a sprig of mint.

How to store iced tea

Always keep iced tea chill​ed, in the fridge. Store it with a tight seal, jugs and large jars with lids are great choices. This will also keep the tea from picking up the taste or odors from food.​

Fruits, garnishes and sweeteners will decrease the tea's shelf life. So, add them to each glass or a pitcher of tea that will be consumed within a day.