When you think of iced tea, the first thing that comes to mind is cold, sweet, fruity, maybe zesty, drink that will quench your thirst on a hot day. But beneath all the layers of fruitiness, sweetness, and acidity lies the real flavor of the tea.
The actual taste of the tea in your regular iced tea is barely recognizable, which is a real shame. McEntee's Tea is full of flavour and aroma that will only boost the taste of your iced cold drink. And that’s what loose leaves bring to the pitcher. A deep flavor that transforms this summer staple, and not to mention, makes it a healthier beverage.

Recipe 1: 

Cold brewing your iced tea will add a nice body to your beverage and enhance the leaves’ natural flavor and sweetness. This will give you a subtle taste and lasting finish that is much more refreshing and enjoyable than the quick, hot-brew method.

And yes, this is our favorite way to brew iced tea. Here is how you can do it:
1. Start by adding about 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea to a clean mason jar. Our golden ratio is 1 teaspoon of tea per every 8 ounces of water, so if you are brewing a larger batch, feel free to double or triple the amount.
2. Next, cover the tea with water (8 ounces per 1 teaspoon). It is best to use tap or room temperature water.
3. Then, put the lid on, seal, and place the mason jar in the refrigerator, allowing it to steep naturally, for at least 4 hours, but the best taste is extracted after 8-12 hours.
4. Add sugar to taste
5. Strain and serve with ice, lemon slices, and other favorite add-ins.

Recipe 2: Hot Brew

This is a somewhat quicker version of the previous method.
1. Place 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea inside your cup or strainer.
2. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil, then pour the boiling water over the tea.
3. Allow it to steep for 5 minutes, then strain and discard the leaves.
4. Add sugar to taste
5. Let the tea sit at room temperature for about half an hour, then transfer it to your jar/pitcher, and place it in the fridge to cool for a couple of hours.
6. Serve with ice and preferred add-ins.

While both methods will generally brew you a delicious iced tea, the first recipe definitely delivers a more satisfying flavor. Besides, there is no need to worry about over-extraction or bitter taste with cold brewing since the cold water can only bring out the natural sweetness.

source

https://www.perfectbrew.com/blog/how-to-make-loose-leaf-iced-tea/