{"id":"iced_tea_a4299ddffb","slug":"classic-american-iced-tea","title":"Classic American Iced Tea","description":"A refreshing and timeless beverage made by steeping black tea to perfection, served chilled over ice with optional sweetness and a citrus twist.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":70,"activeMinutes":10},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"4 cups water","name":"Water","quantity":946,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"quart","form":"filtered","notes":"divided into 2 cups for boiling and 2 cups for diluting","group":"Liquid Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"5 black tea bags","name":"Black Tea","quantity":5,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":5,"usUnit":"piece","form":"bags","notes":"standard size black tea","group":"Flavor","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1/4 cup granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.25,"usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"adjust to taste or use honey/maple syrup","group":"Sweetener","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 lemon, sliced","name":"Lemon","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"sliced","notes":"for garnish and acidity","group":"Garnish","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"2 cups ice cubes","name":"Ice cubes","quantity":473,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"cubed","notes":"for serving","group":"Serving","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Bring 2 cups (473ml) of water to a boil at 212°F (100°C) in a small saucepan or kettle.","group":"Steeping","title":"Bring 2 cups of water","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Steeping"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Remove from heat and add the tea bags. Steep for 3 to 5 minutes depending on desired strength. Do not squeeze the bags, as this can release bitter tannins.","group":"Steeping","title":"Remove from heat","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Steeping"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Remove tea bags. If you prefer sweet tea, stir in the sugar now while the liquid is hot so it dissolves completely.","group":"Flavoring","title":"Remove tea bags","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Flavoring"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Pour the concentrated tea into a pitcher and add the remaining 2 cups (473ml) of cold water. Stir well.","group":"Dilution","title":"Pour the concentrated tea","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Dilution"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until thoroughly chilled.","group":"Chilling","title":"Refrigerate for at least 1 hour","timerMinutes":60,"sourceTitle":"Chilling"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Serve in tall glasses filled with ice and garnish with lemon slices.","group":"Serving","title":"Serve in tall glasses filled","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"For a 'clearer' tea that doesn't cloud when chilled, let the tea reach room temperature before refrigerating. Using filtered water also improves the crispness of the flavor.","cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["American"]},"course":["side","dessert"],"cookingMethod":["boil","simmer","noCook"],"equipment":["kettle","pitcher","tall glasses"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free","low_fat"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":1,"unit":"l","note":"Makes one standard pitcher"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Tea can be brewed and stored in the fridge without ice or lemon for several days."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Keep refrigerated in a sealed pitcher. Remove lemon slices if storing longer than 12 hours to prevent bitterness.","reheatingNotes":""}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Ficed_tea_a4299ddffb%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=29908570-d51d-48ea-bacd-6c0cf664bd7e","imageAlt":"Classic American Iced Tea — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["iced tea","beverage","refreshing","summer drink","sweet tea"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Classic American Iced Tea","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T19:52:18.816Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T19:52:18.816Z","related":[{"id":"onion_rings_b6689e2aaf","slug":"classic-american-onion-rings","title":"Classic American Onion Rings","description":"Crispy, golden-brown onion rings featuring a light batter and a crunchy Panko coating. These are the perfect American snack or side dish, offering a satisfying crunch with every bite.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["American"]},"course":["appetizer","side"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fonion_rings_b6689e2aaf%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=99d356ae-4616-439b-bbcd-b41807d1e7c5","imageAlt":"Classic American Onion Rings — recipe cover","tags":["onion rings","crispy","fried","american classic","panko"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":7},{"id":"grits_74e85deef8","slug":"classic-creamy-southern-grits","title":"Classic Creamy Southern Grits","description":"A smooth, rich, and comforting Southern American breakfast staple made with stone-ground corn grits, slow-cooked in a mixture of milk and water for a velvety texture.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":25,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["Southern American"]},"course":["main","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fgrits_74e85deef8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=349be80a-6060-410f-9be6-fd4a9f661858","imageAlt":"Classic Creamy Southern Grits — recipe cover","tags":["creamy","corn","classic","southern","comfort food","easy"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":4},{"id":"hash_browns_744d448465","slug":"classic-hash-browns","title":"Classic Hash Browns","description":"Crispy, golden-brown shredded potatoes that are perfectly seasoned and fried until crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. A quintessential American breakfast staple.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["Diner-style"]},"course":["side"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fhash_browns_744d448465%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=91a58da5-d944-489a-ae21-2afe20a6ed47","imageAlt":"Classic Hash Browns — recipe cover","tags":["potatoes","crispy","classic","breakfast-sides","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":6}]}