Bright, refreshing, and citrusy, this Earl Grey iced tea is simple to make, easy to customize, and perfect for quenching thirsts at gatherings.
Why you’ll love this tea:
I’ve always preferred tea to coffee and collect many varieties: black, green, oolong, white, matcha, herbal, rose, jasmine and fruit blends. Iced tea is one of my favorite summer drinks, and I prefer it lightly sweetened—unsweetened iced tea often tastes flat. If you’re from the South, you might even call this a sweet tea.
This isn’t ordinary iced tea. It starts with Earl Grey, a black tea scented with bergamot oil. The bergamot gives Earl Grey a subtle citrus and floral note that softens tea’s typical bitterness, making it approachable for many palates.
When steeping, we add a slice of lemon to enhance the tea’s citrus character. A little honey adds a gentle, complementary sweetness without overpowering the tea’s flavor. For an extra, slightly exotic note, stir in a splash of vanilla extract—it’s an unexpected twist that works surprisingly well.
You can easily adjust the honey and vanilla to suit your taste. The recipe is forgiving, so feel free to tweak sweetness and strength to your preference. That flexibility is one reason I love this iced tea, and I hope you’ll try it.
Let me know if you try it. 🙂
Earl Grey Iced Tea
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Ingredients
- 4 Earl Grey tea bags
- 2 tablespoons raw honey
- 1 slice of lemon more for garnish
- Pure vanilla extract to taste optional
Instructions
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Bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
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In a quart jar, add 4 Earl Grey tea bags and a slice of lemon. Pour the hot water over them, cover, and let steep at room temperature for 2 hours.
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Stir in the honey until dissolved, then refrigerate the tea for at least 2 hours to chill.
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When ready to serve, remove the tea bags and lemon slice. Add 2–3 cups of cold water to dilute to your preferred strength.
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If you like, add a dash of vanilla extract to taste and stir gently.
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Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices.
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Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on June 20th, 2014.