Brewing Iced Tea in the Refrigerator – Simple!

Over the past decade or so, I have really become a fan of iced tea. I’m not one for hot tea – much prefer coffee – but a cool glass of tea really hits the spot.  I’d been buying those instant iced tea mixes, usually mixed with tons of sugar and various dubious-sounding chemicals. Then I progressed to buying it already made, in huge plastic gallon jugs. It was ridiculous to have to lug all that tea around. Plus, it was expensive.

So this spring I started making sun tea in a one gallon glass container. I set it outside in the sun for several hours and it seemed to brew quite well. However, after further research and several helpful comments, I decided that the sun tea method probably wasn’t the best way to make it. Seems that bacteria can grow in the tea when it is out in the sun. Soooooo I decided to try the cold tea brewing method, a la Refrigerator Tea!

Refrigerator Tea is super simple and easy to make: I use my same one gallon glass container, fill it with cold water, add six teabags, cover, and leave in the refrigerator for 8 to 12 hours. Then remove the teabags and enjoy!

I have gotten used to drinking cold tea without any sweetener added. It takes so crisp and tangy! Plus, it has no calories and is completely natural (and it’s cheap 😀 ). I especially like drinking it with meals – it seems to add a good balance and tastes better than plain water. So sit back and pour a cold one!

~Marilyn

“Iced tea is too pure and natural a creation not to have been invented as soon as tea, ice, and hot weather crossed paths.”  ~John Egerton