Stevia-Sweetened Iced Tea
A perfectly refreshing classic, this iced tea is made completely sugar-free using stevia, offering a guilt-free way to cool down. It's easily adjustable to your preferred sweetness and can be customized with various flavor additions.
For 8 servings
Bring 4 cups of fresh, filtered water to a rolling boil in a kettle or saucepan.
Place the black tea bags into a heat-proof pitcher or large glass jar. Carefully pour the boiling water over the tea bags, ensuring they are fully submerged.
Cover the pitcher and let the tea steep for exactly 5 minutes. Do not oversteep, as this can lead to a bitter taste.
After 5 minutes, carefully remove the tea bags, gently pressing them against the side of the pitcher with a spoon to extract any remaining liquid, then discard them.
Add the 1/4 teaspoon of stevia powder to the hot tea and stir thoroughly until it is completely dissolved. Taste and add more stevia, a tiny pinch at a time, if a sweeter flavor is desired.
Pour in the 4 cups of cold water and stir well to combine. This helps to rapidly cool the tea and prevent further steeping.
Refrigerate the iced tea for at least 2 hours, or until thoroughly chilled. For immediate serving, you can pour it over a generous amount of ice.
Serve the chilled stevia-sweetened iced tea over fresh ice cubes, garnished with thin slices of lemon.
What to keep in mind.
4 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Don't oversteep: Steeping black tea for more than 5 minutes can extract too many tannins, resulting in a noticeably bitter taste.
- 2Adjust sweetness gradually: Stevia is very potent. Start with the recommended amount and add more in tiny increments, stirring and tasting, until you reach your desired sweetness level.
- 3Chill thoroughly: Iced tea tastes best when completely chilled. Making it ahead of time and refrigerating for at least 2 hours (or overnight) allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- 4Use filtered water: For the cleanest and purest tea flavor, always use filtered water for brewing your iced tea.
Adapt it for your goals.
Herbal Infusion
Replace black tea bags with your favorite herbal tea bags (e.g., hibiscus, peppermint, chamomile) for a caffeine-free and unique flavor profile. Adjust steeping times according to the herbal tea's instructions.
Fruity TwistFruity Twist
Add sliced peaches, berries, or cucumber to the pitcher during the chilling process for a natural fruit infusion. Remove the fruit before serving if you prefer a clear tea.
Green Tea VersionGreen Tea Version
Substitute black tea bags with green tea bags, but be sure to steep them for only 2-3 minutes to prevent bitterness, as green tea is more delicate than black tea.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Zero Sugar
By using stevia, this recipe completely eliminates added sugars, contributing to better blood sugar control, reduced calorie intake, and improved dental health.
Antioxidant Rich
Black tea contains beneficial polyphenols and flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Hydrating
This iced tea provides a delicious and flavorful way to increase your daily fluid intake, which is essential for maintaining proper bodily functions, energy levels, and overall well-being.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can! Use approximately 1 tablespoon of loose leaf black tea for every cup of boiling water. After steeping, strain the tea leaves thoroughly using a fine-mesh sieve before adding the cold water and stevia.
