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3-Ingredient Iced Tea Cooler

A refreshing iced tea cooler made with just black tea, lemon, and honey — no bitterness, no fuss.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 2
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: American
Calories: 90
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups water
  • 4 black tea bags e.g., English Breakfast or Ceylon
  • 2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup
  • 1 large lemon thinly sliced (plus extra for garnish)
  • Ice cubes

Equipment

  • medium saucepan
  • fine-mesh strainer
  • 2 tall glasses
  • wooden spoon

Method
 

  1. Bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat and add the tea bags. Steep for exactly 4 minutes — no longer, or the tea turns bitter.
  2. Remove tea bags, letting them drip briefly into the pot. Stir in honey until fully dissolved. The warm liquid should feel slightly sweet on your tongue.
  3. Add lemon slices directly into the hot tea. Let steep for 2 minutes. This releases bright citrus oils and softens the lemon’s acidity.
  4. Strain the tea through a fine-mesh strainer into a heatproof pitcher or bowl. Discard lemon slices. Let cool at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  5. Fill two tall glasses with ice cubes. Pour the cooled tea over the ice. Garnish with a fresh lemon slice. Serve immediately.

Notes

Storage: Keep leftover tea (without ice) in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 3 days. Shake or stir before serving over fresh ice. For a stronger citrus kick, add a second lemon slice per glass. If using a flavored tea like peach or jasmine, reduce steeping time to 3 minutes. Common allergen note: honey is not safe for infants under 1 year. For dietary concerns, consult a qualified professional.