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Citrus-Infused Iced Tea
Jorj Morgan

Citrus-Infused Iced Tea

Black tea brewed strong and cut with honey and lemon, then chilled until it is the most refreshing thing in the refrigerator.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Tea Base
  • 8 cups filtered water
  • 6 English breakfast or orange pekoe tea bags
  • ¼ cup honey, or to taste
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup fresh orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Citrus & Herb Infusion
  • 1 orange, thinly sliced
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced
  • 1 lime, thinly sliced
  • 4 sprigs fresh mint
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, optional
  • Plenty of ice
Garnishes
  • Citrus wheels
  • Fresh mint sprigs
  • Edible flowers, optional

Equipment

  • Large saucepan
  • Glass pitcher
  • Manual citrus juicer
  • Long wooden spoon
  • Tall iced tea glasses

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring water to a boil, remove from heat, and steep tea bags for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove tea bags and stir in honey while warm.
  2. Allow tea to cool slightly, then stir in fresh lemon, orange, and lime juices.
  3. Transfer to a large glass pitcher and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
  4. Just before serving, add the citrus slices, mint, rosemary, and plenty of ice. Stir gently and pour into tall glasses garnished with additional mint and citrus.

Notes

Jorj's Tip
Brew the tea the day before and refrigerate it overnight. Add the fresh citrus juice and herbs just before serving to keep the flavors bright and vibrant. If you're serving outdoors, freeze thin citrus slices inside ice cubes the day before—they'll keep the tea cold without diluting it and look beautiful floating in the pitcher.
Hosting a Crowd
For a luncheon or shower, prepare the tea base a day ahead. Just before guests arrive, pour it into a large glass beverage dispenser or crystal pitcher, then add the fresh citrus juices, sliced fruit, herbs, and ice. Set out bowls of extra citrus slices, mint, and rosemary so guests can garnish their own glasses.
Make It Your Own
• Southern Sweet: Increase the honey to ½ cup for a sweeter Southern-style tea.
• Peach Garden: Add 1 cup of peach nectar and garnish with fresh peach slices.
• Berry Citrus: Muddle a handful of raspberries or strawberries into each glass before serving.
• Sparkling Citrus Tea: Top each glass with a splash of sparkling water for a light, bubbly finish.
• Green Tea Version: Substitute green tea for a lighter, more delicate flavor.