Earl Grey Iced Tea

[inanna]

We once visited a living history museum in Edmonton, Alberta (Fort Edmonton). Awesome place - if you ever get the chance.

It was there - for the very first time - that I had the pleasure of tasting Earl Grey Iced Tea. I went home and tried desperately to copy that recipe. I'm not sure if I ever truly succeeded, but nonetheless, everyone who has ever tried my "copycat" version just loves it.

Here is the closest online recipe I've found to my own version - except I use sugar or sweetener instead of honey, and I skip the lime juice:

http://www.thebeardedbakery.com/drinks/earl-grey-iced-tea/

I know that iced tea is an American tradition in the summertime, and doubt very much that a Canuck like me is offering any real improvement over your tried and true down home recipes! I've had several versions of American iced tea, from sweet to unsweetened - and I loved them all.

Here's a few interesting recipes as well from the Twinings site:

https://www.twinings.co.uk/about-twinings/latest-news-and-articles/top-10-twinings-iced-tea-recipes

Question: Does anybody know why my Iced Tea looks cloudy sometimes? What am I doing wrong?!

[Siwsan]

1. If you chill the tea too fast, it can get cloudy, but it won't affect the flavor

I've never liked Earl Grey tea, but I've also never tried it iced. I might to a slightly smaller version of that recipe.

I make a lot of iced lemon/ginseng sun green tea, in the summer. Sweetened or unsweetened, it's just wonderfully refreshing.

[inanna]

3. Ha!

That's gotta be it - cause that's exactly what I've been doing.

After steeping the tea for several minutes, then I start adding cold water and ice.

You're right - it doesn't affect the flavour at all. But iced tea looks so much more refreshing when it's clear!

Thanks!

[irisblue]

2. Siswan is right, chilling too fast will make it cloudy.

Drink Twinnings British Breakfast, both regular daytime & decaf for dinner & after. I also like Luzianne brand tea when making large pitchers.

[inanna]

4. I want to try the Luzianne too.

I've never had that before because it is hard to find in Canada, but I see now they're available on Amazon Canada.

Thanks!

[irisblue]

5. I find it a bit pricey at the grocers, but I like the taste alot.

[woodsprite]

6. We love Lady Grey iced tea. So refreshing!

I believe it's a version of mild Earl Gray with a bit of citrus. The colonial era tavern we frequent serves a smokey blend of Earl Gray. Its good, but definitely an acquired taste.

[irisblue]

10. The Twinnings website had a recipe for this with lime

I never thot of lime w/ tea.

[inanna]

11. Oh I'd love to try the smokey blend.

I'm an Earl Grey fanatic, so I'm pretty sure I'd like it.

This one looks promising:

https://www.fortnumandmason.com/products/smoky-earl-grey-tea

I'm ordering some if I can find it on amazon or similar.

[dem in texas]

7. Don't Chill the tea

I have a little pan that is only used for making iced tea, the insides are stained brown from making tea in it for years. My late mother had her little tea pan as did my mother-in-law who lived in Tennessee.. You bring the water (about two or 3 cups), to a boil and put in the tea leaves or tea bags, this tea mixture should be too strong to drink. Let it come to a boil, remove from the heat and cover with a saucer. Let the tea steep for at least 20 minutes, an hour will be fine. Luzianne is the best for this. When you are ready to serve the tea, fill your pitcher with water not hot, not cold, just tap water, add sugar if you must. Add the steeped tea. Stir well and you should have a pitcher of well flavored tea, not wimpy. . Fill glasses full of ice, don't skimp on the ice. Pour the tea over the ice in the glasses. Have a bowl of lemon slices handy and if you have a little mint on a plate, that would be nice too.

This is real southern iced tea. You make a strong tea base and dilute it in water right before serving. You never chill the tea mixture, just pour it over the ice.

Discard any leftover tea, left over tea from the fridge won't do, it has lost the good tea taste.

I used to drink Earl Grey tea when I lived in Alaska, always drank it hot.

[inanna]

9. Well!

Can I come to your house for a lesson in iced tea making?

And a taste - of course!

Just kidding - but yours was an awesome post!

Thanks!

[Phentex]

13. Thsi is how I learned to do it but I found a much easier method...

Publix grocery store brand from the deli.

I don't drink sweet tea any more and found when I try to make it for family now, I don't know how to get the sugar right. So I buy theirs.

I made unsweetened tea for myself last week and did it the way you posted. That's how my mother made it.

[luvMIdog]

8. adding ice before the tea is cooled down can cloud it

[inanna]

14. I'm making a fresh pitcher of iced tea right now...

And I'm patiently waiting for it to cool before adding the ice.

Thanks for the tip!

[luvMIdog]

16. you're welcome :)

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

12. I'm very fond of the Republic of Teas's Ginger Peach for iced tea.

[inanna]

15. I've never tried it before

but this thread has given me lots of tips to try this summer.

Given how hot it has been here already (for JUNE!!), I think I'll have lots of opportunities!