---
title: "Homemade Iced Tea with Lemon and Mint — Té Helado"
description: "Versión en Español. Homemade iced tea with lemon and mint is tea bags and half the mint steeped in hot water at about 70°C (158°F) for 5 minutes, then added to a pitcher of cold water with lemon slice..."
url: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/homemade-iced-tea-lemon-mint-te-helado-recipe/
date: 2026-10-06
modified: 2026-10-06
author: "Carlos Uhart M."
image: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/homemade-iced-tea-lemon-mint-featured.jpg
categories: ["Beverages"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# Homemade Iced Tea with Lemon and Mint — Té Helado

[Versión en Español](https://comidaschilenas.com/ice-tea-con-limon-y-menta/)

![Homemade iced tea with lemon slices and mint](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/homemade-iced-tea-lemon-mint-featured.jpg)*Iced tea with lemon and mint*

Homemade iced tea with lemon and mint is tea bags and half the mint steeped in hot water at about 70°C (158°F) for 5 minutes, then added to a pitcher of cold water with lemon slices, lemon juice, the remaining mint, and sugar, and chilled for 30 minutes over ice. It takes 10 minutes of preparation and 5 minutes of steeping, and serves 4.

A favorite summer drink: fresh, inexpensive, and made with very simple ingredients.

Contents

- [1. How to Make Iced Tea?](#How_to_Make_Iced_Tea)
- [2. Nutritional Information](#Nutritional_Information)
- [3. Iced Tea with Lemon and Mint Recipe](#Iced_Tea_with_Lemon_and_Mint_Recipe)
  - [3.1. Ingredients](#Ingredients)
  - [3.2. Instructions](#Instructions)
- [4. Additional Tips](#Additional_Tips)
  - [4.1. Do not oversteep](#Do_not_oversteep)
  - [4.2. Dissolve the sugar](#Dissolve_the_sugar)
  - [4.3. Other flavors](#Other_flavors)
  - [4.4. Sweetener swap](#Sweetener_swap)
- [5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)](#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs)
  - [5.1. 1. Which tea is best for iced tea?](#1_Which_tea_is_best_for_iced_tea)
  - [5.2. 2. Why steep at 70°C?](#2_Why_steep_at_70C)
  - [5.3. 3. How long does it keep?](#3_How_long_does_it_keep)
- [6. Benefits of Tea](#Benefits_of_Tea)
- [7. Did You Know?](#Did_You_Know)
- [8. Recommended](#Recommended)

## How to Make Iced Tea?

Use the tea you like, green, white, or black, and flavor it with lemon, orange, or peach juice. Do not oversteep, or it turns bitter.

## Nutritional Information

Each serving of iced tea with lemon and mint contains approximately 70 kcal, 0 g of protein, 0 g of fat, 0 mg of cholesterol, 18 g of carbohydrates, 18 g of sugars, and 5 mg of sodium. These values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes.

## Iced Tea with Lemon and Mint Recipe

**Preparation:** 10 minutes (plus 30 minutes of chilling)
**Cooking:** 5 minutes
**Servings:** 4

### Ingredients

- 1 liter (4 cups) of cold water
- Hot water
- 4 tea bags
- 4 tablespoons of sugar
- 2 lemons
- Mint leaves
- Ice

### Instructions

1. Put the tea bags and half the mint leaves in a large bowl, cover with hot water at about 70°C (158°F), and steep for about 5 minutes, gently pressing the mint to release its aroma.
2. In a large pitcher of at least 1½ liters, add 1 sliced lemon, 10 to 15 of the remaining washed mint leaves, and the sugar. Add the cold water, the juice of the other lemon, and finally the tea. Stir well, adjust the sweetness, and add ice to taste. Chill for 30 minutes.
3. Serve the iced tea right away, very cold, with more ice if you like.

![Chart of sugar and sweetener equivalents](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/sugar-sweetener-equivalents-iced-tea.jpg)*Sugar and Sweetener Equivalents*

## Additional Tips

### Do not oversteep

Five minutes is enough; longer steeping makes the tea bitter.

### Dissolve the sugar

Add the sugar while the tea is warm, or stir well in the pitcher so it dissolves.

### Other flavors

Swap lemon for orange or peach juice.

### Sweetener swap

Use the chart to replace sugar with your preferred sweetener.

| Original ingredient | Substitute | Ratio | Flavor note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Black tea | Green tea | 4 bags | Lighter, grassy |
| Sugar | Honey | 3 tbsp | Floral |
| Lemon | Peach | 2 | Fruitier |
| Mint | Spearmint | To taste | Sweeter herbal note |

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

### 1. Which tea is best for iced tea?

Any you like: black tea gives a classic flavor, green or white tea a lighter one.

### 2. Why steep at 70°C?

Water at about 70°C extracts the flavor without much bitterness, especially from green and white teas.

### 3. How long does it keep?

Up to 2 days covered in the fridge; add the ice when serving so it does not dilute.

## Benefits of Tea

Tea is hydrating and contains antioxidants, and unsweetened it has almost no calories.

## Did You Know?

The earliest records of tea drinking come from ancient China, where legend says a leaf fell into Emperor Shen Nung’s pot of hot water and he found the drink refreshing.

## Recommended

- [Chilean Homemade Lemonade Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-homemade-lemonade-limonada-agua-de-limon-recipe/)
- [Bay Leaf, Cinnamon, and Lemon Infusion Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/japanese-tea-bay-leaf-cinnamon-lemon-infusion-recipe/)
- [Chilean Jote Red Wine and Cola Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-jote-red-wine-cola-tincola-recipe/)
- [Natural Green Juice Recipe](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/natural-green-juice-jugo-verde-recipe/)