Learn how to make iced tea at home with our complete guide. Discover cold brew vs. hot brew methods, flavor variations, and pro tips for the perfect refreshing pitcher every time.
H
ere at Furn-store, we believe that comfort extends beyond your furniture—it's about the entire atmosphere you create in your home. The way sunlight filters through your windows. The soft hum of a quiet afternoon. And the simple pleasure of a tall, chilled glass of iced tea in your hand.
As temperatures rise in Singapore, there's nothing quite like that first sip of perfectly brewed iced tea. It's refreshing, versatile, and endlessly customisable. But here's the thing: not all iced tea is created equal. The sugary, powdered versions from bottles and cans? They don't come close to the real thing made fresh in your own kitchen.
Today, we're sharing everything you need to know about h
ow to make iced tea at home—
from classic methods to creative variations, all designed to help you create the perfect pitcher for those long, warm afternoons.
W
h
y Make Iced Tea at Home?
Be
fore we dive into the how, let's talk about the why.
Be
tter Flavour
H
o
memade iced tea tastes like actual tea. Real tea leaves, properly brewed, deliver complexity and depth that commercial bottled teas simply cannot match.
No
Artificial Ingredients
Yo
u
control what goes in. No high-fructose corn syrup, no preservatives, no mysterious "natural flavours." Just tea, water, and whatever you choose to add.
Endl
ess Customisation
Swe
e
tor unsweet? Citrus or berry? Herbal or classic black? When you make it yourself, every batch can be exactly what you're craving.
Cost
Effective
A bo
x
of quality tea bags or loose-leaf tea costs a fraction of what you'd spend on bottled teas or café versions. Your wallet—and your taste buds—will thank you.
Eco-Fr
iendly
Skip
t
he plastic bottles and single-use cups. Brew a pitcher at home, and you're doing the planet a favour too.
Method 1: The Hot Brew Method (Classic & Quick)
This is the traditional approach, and it's perfect when you want iced tea in a hurry.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Boil Water
ring 4 cups of fresh, filtered water to a boil. If you're using green or white tea, let it cool slightly—these delicate teas prefer temperatures around 80°C (176°F).
S
tep 2: Steep the Tea
A
dd your tea to the hot water. For a standard pitcher (about 8 cups total), use:
8-
10 tea bags,
or
8-
10 teaspoons of loose-leaf tea (
in an infuser)
St
eeping time depends on your tea:
Bl
ack tea: 3
-5 minutes
Gr
een tea: 2
-3 minutes
Wh
ite tea: 2
-3 minutes
He
rbal tea: 5
-7 minutes
Pr
o Tip: S
teep a little longer than you would for hot tea. The ice will dilute the concentration, so a slightly stronger brew ensures your final drink isn't weak.
St
ep 3: Remove the Tea
T
a
ke out the tea bags or remove the infuser. Press them gently to extract flavour—but not too hard, or you'll release bitterness.
Ste
p 4: Add Sweetener (If Desired)
He
r
e's a crucial tip: swee
ten while the tea is still hot. Sug
ar, honey, or simple syrup dissolve much more easily in warm liquid. Add your sweetener now and stir until completely dissolved.
Step
5: Add Cool Water
Pou
r
in 4 cups of cool or room-temperature water. This stops the steeping process and brings your tea to a drinkable temperature faster.
Step
6: Chill and Serve
Refr
i
gerate until completely cold—at least 1-2 hours. Serve over plenty of ice, garnished as you like.
Method
2: The Cold Brew Method (Smooth & Never Bitter)
Cold br
ewing is having a moment, and for good reason. Steeping tea in cold water over a long period produces an incredibly smooth, naturally sweet brew with absolutely no bitterness.
Why Col
d Brew?
No bitt
erness: Tannin
s (which cause bitterness) are extracted more slowly in cold water
Smoothe
r flavour: The de
licate notes of the tea shine through
Set it
and forget it: Requir
es almost no active effort
Less ca
ffeine: Cold w
ater extracts less caffeine than hot water
Step-by
-Step Instructions
Step 1:
Combine Tea and Water
In you
r
pitcher, combine:
In you
8-10 tea
bags or 8-10
tea
spoons loose-leaf tea
8 cups cold, filtered water
Step 2:
Refrigerate
Cover th
epitcher and place it in the refrigerator. Now, you wait:
Minimum:
8 hours
I
deal: 12
hours
Maximum:
24 hours
(beyond this, it may become slightly cloudy)
Step 3: S
train and Serve
Remove t
h
etea bags or strain out the leaves. Your tea is ready to drink immediately—no chilling required. Serve over ice with your choice of garnishes.
Pro Tip: C
old-brew
ed tea concentrate can be made with half the water, then diluted to taste when serving.
Method 3:
S
un Tea (For Sunny Days)
There's som
ething magical about tea brewed by the sun. This method is simple, charming, and perfect for lazy weekends.
Step-by-Ste
p Instructions
Step 1: Fil
l a Jar
Use a larg
e
glass jar with a lid. Add 6-8 tea bags and fill with cold water.
Use a larg
Step 2: Find
the Sun
Place the j
a
rin a sunny spot—a windowsill, balcony, or garden table works perfectly.
Step 3: Wait
Let the sun
d
oits work for 3-5 hours. The water will gradually warm and steep the tea.
Step 4: Refrig
erate
Remove the te
a
bags and chill the tea before serving.
Important Safet
y Note: Sun tea should
be consumed within 24 hours. If your tea develops a strange smell or stringy sediment, discard it immediately.
How to Sweeten Iced Tea Perfectly
Sweetening iced tea can be tricky—granulated sugar doesn't dissolve well in cold liquid. Here are the best solutions:
Simple Syrup (The Easiest)
How to make it:
Combine equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan. Heat gently, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cool completely before using.
Why it works:
Liquid syrup blends instantly into cold tea, no grainy residue.
Honey Syrup
How to make it:
Mix 1 part honey with 1 part warm water, stirring until combined.
Why it works:
Honey adds floral complexity and dissolves easily.
Sweeten While Hot
If you're using the hot brew method, simply add your sweetener while the tea concentrate is still warm. It will dissolve perfectly.
Flavoured Simple Syrups
Get creative! Infuse your simple syrup with:
Fresh mint leaves
Lemon or orange zest
Crushed ginger
Vanilla bean
Lavender buds
F
lavour Variations to Try
O
nce you've mastered the basics, it's time to experiment. Here are some of our favourite ways to elevate homemade iced tea:
C
itrus Iced Tea
A
dd slices of lemon, lime, orange, or grapefruit to your pitcher. For extra zing, muddle a few citrus wedges before adding.
B
erry Iced Tea
T
oss in a handful of fresh or frozen berries—strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or a mix. They'll infuse the tea with colour and flavour as it chills.
M
int Iced Tea
A
dd a generous bunch of fresh mint leaves to your pitcher. Gently bruise them first to release their oils.
P
each Iced Tea
S
teep your tea with fresh or frozen peach slices. For intense peach flavour, muddle the peaches before adding.
S
piced Iced Tea
A
dd a cinnamon stick, a few cardamom pods, or a slice of fresh ginger to your brew. Strain before serving.
A
rnold Palmer (Half & Half)
T
he classic combination: half iced tea, half lemonade. Use a good-quality lemonade for best results.
P
r
o Tips for Perfect Iced Tea
Af
ter years of experimentation (and many glasses of trial and error), here are our top tips:
1.
Use Filtered Water
T
a
pwater with strong flavours or chemicals will affect your tea's taste. Filtered water lets the tea shine.
2.
Don't Skip the Ice
Th
i
sseems obvious, but the quality of your ice matters. Use fresh, clean ice—not freezer-burned cubes that have been sitting for months.
3. M
ake Tea Ice Cubes
Fre
e
ze extra tea in ice cube trays. Use these instead of regular ice cubes, and your drink won't dilute as it melts.
4. St
ore Properly
Home
m
ade iced tea keeps in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Store in a covered pitcher to prevent absorbing other flavours.
5. Tas
te Before Serving
Alway
s
give your tea a final taste before pouring. Adjust sweetness, add more citrus, or dilute if needed.
6. Garn
ish Beautifully
A spri
g
of mint, a thin lemon wheel, or a few fresh berries transform a simple glass into something special.
Creating
Your Iced Tea Moment at Home
At Furn-s
tore, we know that the best drinks are enjoyed in the best settings. Here's how to create the perfect environment for your iced tea ritual:
Choose Yo
ur Spot
Find a c
o
mfortable place where you can truly relax. Perhaps it's your favourite armchair by the window, a cozy corner of your sofa, or a balcony seat with a view.
Set the Sc
ene
Place you
r
iced tea on a sturdy side table or coffee table within easy reach. Add a coaster to protect your furniture—because we love our pieces and want them to last.
Add Comfort
A soft cus
h
ion, a lightweight throw, perhaps a good book or your favourite magazine. Create an invitation to linger.
Sip Slowly
T
his is the
h
ardest part. Resist the urge to gulp. Instead, take small sips, notice the flavours, feel the coolness, and let yourself be present in the moment.
Frequently As
k
ed Questions
Can I use any
tea for iced tea?
Absolutely! Bl
ack tea is classic, but green, white, oolong, and herbal teas all make wonderful iced tea. Experiment to find your favourites.
Why does my ic
ed tea turn cloudy?
Cloudiness (al
so called "creaming") happens when tannins in the tea react with minerals in the water or when tea is chilled too quickly. It's harmless and doesn't affect flavour. To prevent it, let tea cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
How long does
homemade iced tea last?
Properly store
d in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator, homemade iced tea stays fresh for 3-5 days.
Can I make ice
d tea without sugar?
Absolutely. Un
sweetened iced tea is delicious and lets the true flavour of the tea shine. Many tea lovers prefer it this way.
Is iced tea he
althy?
Homemade iced
tea, made with real tea leaves and minimal sweetener, is a healthy choice. Tea is rich in antioxidants and contains no artificial ingredients. Just watch the sugar if you're adding it.
What's the bes
t tea for Thai iced tea?
Traditional Th
ai iced tea uses a strongly brewed black tea (often a blend including Assam), sweetened with sugar and condensed milk, then served over ice. Look for "Thai tea mix" at Asian grocery stores.
Your Perfect P
i
tcher Awaits
Learning how to
make iced tea at home opens up a world of refreshment. Once you master the basics, you'll never go back to bottled versions again. You'll find yourself experimenting with different teas, creating signature blends, and looking forward to that first cold sip on a warm afternoon.
At Furn-store, we design furniture for these moments. For the afternoons you spend on your balcony with a tall glass of peach iced tea. For the evenings you host friends around the coffee table with a pitcher of berry-infused brew. For the quiet moments you steal for yourself, wrapped in comfort, with nothing but a good book and a perfect drink.
We'd love to he
ar from you: What's your favourite way to make iced tea? Do you have a signature flavour combination? Share your tips and stories with our community in the comments below.