Fresh iced tea: refreshment for hot summer days

iced tea maker

Fresh iced tea: refreshment for hot summer days

On a hot summer day, nothing is more refreshing than a nice cold drink like fresh iced tea. This delicious drink is not only refreshing, but also healthy! It contains no added sugar. Tea made with cold water tends to be softer and slightly sweeter in taste than tea made with hot water. There are two ways to make fresh iced tea: cold brew and shock brew.

Cold brew and shock brew

There are two ways to make a delicious fresh iced tea: cold brew and shock brew. For both methods, fresh loose tea is recommended. We explain them to you.

1. Cold brew: long infusion time for intense flavour

The cold brew method requires patience. Tea leaves are infused into cold water without heating it. This process takes 8 to 12 hours. The longer the tea is infused, the stronger the flavour. As the tea is not heated, the iced tea is less likely to become bitter and also contains less caffeine. Ideal for those long summer evenings. 

What you need

  • San Remo iced tea jug
  • 8 to 10 grams of loose tea
  • San Remo (iced) tea glasses 
  • 1 litre cold (filtered) water

How to make cold brew iced tea

  1. Fill the jug with water and place the loose tea in the filter.
  2. Place the jug in the fridge for 8 to 12 hours.
  3. When the tea has infused, pour it into the glass.
  4. If necessary, add an ice cube and, if desired, other flavourings such as mint or lemon.
  5. Your cold brew iced tea is ready!

2. Shock brew: quick and refreshing

Want to be ready quickly and not wait overnight for your iced tea? Then use the shock brew method. With this technique, you brew tea in the usual way with hot/boiling water. The tea is then quickly cooled with ice cubes. This gives the tea a 'shock'. The flavour will be slightly less intense than cold brew iced tea. But hey, you'll be nice and quick.

What you need

  • San Remo iced tea jug or the San Remo teapot
  • 8 to 10 grams of loose tea
  • San Remo (iced) tea glasses  
  • 500 ml hot water
  • Ice cubes

How to make shock brew iced tea

  1. Fill a filter with loose tea and place it in the teapot or tea jug filled with hot water.
  2. Allow the tea to steep for 2 to 4 minutes (depending on the type of tea and your preference). Green tea needs a shorter infusion time than black tea.
  3. Fill the tea glasses to the brim with ice cubes.
  4. Pour the tea over the ice cubes in the glass and stir well.
  5. Ready is your shock brew iced tea!

Health benefits of iced tea

Besides being a delicious taste experience, fresh iced tea also offers many health benefits. Tea is rich in antioxidants that help protect you from inflammation. It also contains no calories and, we mentioned earlier, little to no caffeine (depending on your tea type and preparation method).

The main health benefits of iced tea at a glance: 

  • Promotes healthy digestion
  • Supports weight loss due to the lack of calories
  • Strengthens the immune system thanks to antioxidants
  • Reduces stress 
  • Promotes concentration

So fresh iced tea is not only a great thirst quencher but also a healthy choice.

Tips for the best iced tea experience

  1. Always use loose tea for the best taste experience.
  2. Experiment with different teas, from black tea to green tea and herbal teas.
  3. Try both cold brew and shock brew methods and see what suits you best.
  4. Add extra flavour with (sugar-free) syrup.
  5. Garnish your iced tea with fresh mint or a slice of lemon for a fresh touch.
  6. Make it extra cosy with a large glass filled with ice cubes and a straw.

Refreshment in every sip

Whether you prefer the intensity make of a cold brew or the quick kick of a shock brew, iced tea offers something for everyone. Which method will you try? Our luxury San Remo iced tea jug is the perfect iced tea maker. With endless flavour variations, health benefits and a refreshing twist, a fresh iced tea is a summer treat.