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Mint Julep Iced Tea

A refreshing Southern-inspired beverage that combines the cooling essence of a traditional mint julep with the beloved comfort of iced tea, featuring robust black tea, fresh mint simple syrup, and an optional hint of bourbon.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 45
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Tea Base
  • 8 cups water, divided
  • 6 black tea bags (or 3 tablespoons loose leaf tea)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup bourbon (optional, or substitute with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
For the Mint Simple Syrup
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, packed
For Serving
  • Crushed ice
  • Fresh mint sprigs
  • Lemon slices

Method
 

  1. Bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat and immediately add tea bags, allowing them to steep for 5-7 minutes until the liquid turns deep amber. Remove tea bags and stir in granulated sugar while the tea is still hot, ensuring complete dissolution.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup water, sugar, and fresh mint leaves. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes until the mint leaves darken slightly and become fragrant. Strain out the mint leaves and let the syrup cool completely.
  3. Pour the hot tea into a large pitcher and add the remaining 4 cups of cold water. Stir in the cooled mint syrup and bourbon (if using). The mixture should have a beautiful golden-green tint. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until completely chilled.
  4. Fill tall glasses with crushed ice. Pour the mint julep iced tea over the ice, leaving about an inch at the top. Garnish each glass with a fresh mint sprig (gently slap it between your palms first to release the oils) and a thin lemon slice.

Notes

Store leftover tea in the refrigerator for up to 4 days - flavors actually improve after the first day. Prepare mint simple syrup up to one week in advance. Over-steeping tea creates bitterness, so stick to 7 minutes maximum. Let components cool separately before combining to avoid cloudiness. Use fresh mint rather than dried for best flavor.