Make iced tea from a hot infusion

Hot preparation comes first

Iced tea can begin as an ordinary hot infusion rather than as leaves left in cold water. Follow the particular tea's preparation directions, including the required temperature and time. For ordinary herbal and fruit products, use boiling water and the stated minimum steep. Making the finished drink cold does not remove the need for that initial preparation step.

When the infusion is ready, remove the bag or basket, or strain the tea into a clean suitable vessel. Do not leave the leaves in while the whole jug slowly cools. The flavour would keep changing, and a long warm wait is not a useful food-handling plan. Decide in advance whether you will serve immediately over ice or cool a small batch promptly for refrigeration.

Count the ice as part of the drink

Ice made from safe drinking water becomes water in the glass. If you pour a standard-strength hot tea over a generous quantity, the finished drink can be much lighter than expected. A recipe intended for flash-chilled tea may use a more concentrated hot infusion that allows for this dilution. Use such a recipe as a starting point rather than extending the steep indefinitely to make a darker concentrate.

Choose containers explicitly suitable for the temperature changes involved. Ordinary cold glass can crack when suddenly filled with hot tea. Work with a stable heat-resistant vessel, pour carefully and leave enough capacity for both liquid and ice. Keep hands clear of steam. If your equipment is not suitable for direct hot-over-ice preparation, use an appropriate prompt cooling method instead of improvising with fragile glassware.

Make a quantity you can handle well

For later serving, cool promptly, keep covered in the refrigerator and follow any product-specific storage instructions. Avoid leaving a large warm jug on the counter for hours or using sunlight as a brewing method. Prepare modest fresh batches and use clean utensils for serving. Add washed fruit or other ingredients with the same care you would give any ready-to-eat food. Taste the fully chilled drink before adding sweetener, since ice, temperature and additions all change the impression. A clear preparation and serving plan matters more than an elaborate garnish.