I got this tip from a tea expert on a show on NPR. I tried it and it really works great. All you need is a pitcher (or a 64oz wide mouth Ball jar), some tea or tea bags, water and a little time. You’ll be using the cold brewing method.

Here’s how it works:

Fill your pitcher or jar with water, place your usual amount of tea or tea bags into the water, place the pitcher or jar in your refrigerator over night and, VOILA! Some of the best iced tea you’ve ever had.

None of the bitterness that you sometimes get when using hot water to steep your tea. Hot tea drinkers sometimes prefer a little astringency in their tea, but for iced tea, smoothness is the goal. And the cold brewing method delivers!

It works equally well with regular, decaffeinated and green teas.

And you don’t need any other machines, kettles, etc. to make it. It’s as easy as making sun tea, but without creating the bacteria factory that leaving food (tea) and water in the sun for hours does.

Give it a try. I’m sure you’ll be as happy with the cold brew method of making iced tea as I am.