Six Top Tips for Making Iced Tea

It's summer and every tea lover across the country is looking for that killer iced tea recipe that will not only impress their friends and make them famous. Well maybe not quiet exactly but if looking to make a nice jug of ice tea to accompany a summer barbeque or indulge in during those long summer evenings, then there are a few things you may want to remember.

Choose your favourite tea! Be creative and experiment a little, ice tea does not have to be just about orange pekoe tea. There are some great teas out that will make excellent bases for the perfect jug. Why not try using Rooibos, Honeybush or even other tisanes like peppermint or one of the fruit countless teas on the market. Or what about green ice tea or jasmine green tea! Rooibos (Red Tea) and Honeybush are great caffeine free alternatives from South Africa. They are low in tannin and packed full of antioxidants and other minerals, perfect for kids and to drink all day long.

Glass pitchers or jugs are usually best. Metal and plastic pitches are discouraged as they sometimes give off an unusual taste or retain smells from previous beverages they held. The same applies to making tea in a different tea pot or cleaned very well if you making a different variety.

If using tea bags, remember to tie them together as it makes it easier to get them out afterwards. When making ice tea I personally use loose leaf tea sachets, they come in big sizes so can put enough tea in for a whole jug and easy to drop in and take out afterwards.

Let the tea steep overnight. If you need to run out and play tennis, petanque or a round of golf, let the tea steep overnight (but make sure to cover the pitcher as the insects will love it!). Some experts maintain that a lengthy steeping makes a better tea, and you want as much flavour as possible.

Only add sugar once you remove the tea bags or tea leaves. "Real" iced tea and "real" iced tea drinkers don't worry about calories - or so they say! Well at least those in the deep American south--the home of the original ice tea. Then don't forget to stir until the sugar is dissolved.

Chilling should always take place in the refrigerator. You must make sure it's well chilled and allow ample time to get to that perfect temperature--just above freezing, well on a hot summers day what else would you want. Never however keep iced tea in the refrigerator for more than two days. Remember you have made fresh homemade ice tea so not packed full of the preservatives you get in the normal supermarket varieties--so it will go off.

Lastly, always serve your ice tea with a lemon wedge that drinkers can squeeze into their glass. Think cut lemon slices don't work because you can't squeeze them. Cut up a couple of chunky wedges. To add some varieties why not add some slices of orange or experiment with cucumber for a Pimm's with a twist.

Best of luck with your summer ice tea experiments and remember, once you get the basic right there are no rules. Forget about boring old jugs of cordial or squash, ice tea is in this summer so make sure yours is chilled.