Gelatin Free Classic Mint Iced Tea
Few drinks hit as refreshingly as a tall glass of mint iced tea on a warm afternoon, and this homemade version is genuinely hard to beat. Fresh mint leaves steep right alongside the black tea bags, infusing every sip with a cool, herbal brightness that bottled versions just can't replicate. A quick homemade simple syrup lets you dial in the sweetness exactly where you want it — start with half and go from there. Everything here is straightforward pantry and garden staples, so there's no need to scrutinize store-bought labels for hidden additives or unexpected gelatin-based stabilizers that sometimes sneak into commercial teas and flavored syrups. The process is relaxed and low-effort: steep, strain, chill, and pour over ice. Lemon rounds and a sprig of fresh mint on top make it look like something from a café patio, even if you're just sitting on your own back steps.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 cups water, divided
- 4 black tea bags
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
For the simple syrup
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
For serving
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 4 fresh mint sprigs (optional)
- 1 lemon, sliced into rounds (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Make the simple syrup: combine the sugar and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- 2
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat, add the tea bags and fresh mint leaves, and steep for 5 minutes.
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