Making homemade canned iced tea is a great way to enjoy a refreshing beverage. Here’s a simple recipe for homemade canned iced tea:
Ingredients:
- 8-10 tea bags (black tea, green tea, or your favorite tea blend)
- Water (8 cups, for brewing)
- Sweetener of your choice (sugar, honey, agave syrup, etc.)
- Lemon slices (optional)
- Fresh mint leaves (optional)
Instructions:
- Boil Water: Bring 8 cups of water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, remove it from heat.
- Steep Tea Bags: Add the tea bags to the hot water. Let them steep for about 5-7 minutes. The longer you steep, the stronger the tea will be. If you like stronger tea, you can steep for a longer duration.
- Remove Tea Bags: After steeping, remove the tea bags from the hot water.
- Sweeten the Tea: Add sweetener to taste while the tea is still warm. Start with a small amount and add more if needed. Stir well to dissolve the sweetener.
- Cool the Tea: Allow the tea to cool to room temperature. You can speed up the process by placing the pot in the refrigerator.
- Prepare Jars: While the tea is cooling, prepare your canning jars by washing them thoroughly.
- Add Lemon and Mint (Optional): If desired, add lemon slices or fresh mint leaves to the jars for extra flavor.
- Fill Jars: Once the tea has cooled, pour it into the prepared canning jars, leaving some space at the top.
- Seal the Jars: Seal the jars tightly. If you have a canner, you can use it to properly seal the jars. Otherwise, store the jars in the refrigerator.
- Chill and Serve: Place the sealed jars in the refrigerator to chill. Once cold, your homemade canned iced tea is ready to be served!
Keep in mind that homemade canned iced tea may not last as long as commercially canned beverages. It’s recommended to consume it within a few weeks and store it in the refrigerator to ensure freshness.
