Fresh lemons, oranges and our favorite tea make Ice Chest Tea the perfect drink to serve to a crowd. It’s refreshing and everyone loves it!
Sweet, Citrusy and So Refreshing!
Looking for a great drink to serve at your next party or get-together?! Well, look no further. This Ice Chest Tea is a guaranteed hit. It’s sweet, citrusy and oh so refreshing!
Seriously, the way the sweetness of the sugar and the citrus of the oranges and lemons combines with the bitterness of the tea is so amazing!
A Summer Holiday Favorite
We make this iced tea recipe all summer long. Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, BBQs by the pool and every gathering in between. If you’re coming to a party with my family, you’re bound to be welcomed with a glass of ice chest tea.
We even have a designated ice chest just for ice chest tea. Nothing else can be put in this ice chest so we can serve the tea right out of it with a big ladle. Such a fun and convenient way to serve drinks to a crowd.
It’s so simple to make and is best if made at least a day in advance. The flavors just get stronger each day.
More Cool Drinks for Hot Weather
- Zesty Lemonade: A classic vodka lemonade kicked up with the addition of rich limoncello and spicy chile liqueur. A refreshing poolside cocktail that may be a bit too easy to drink!
- Sparkling Raspberry Mojitos: Made with muddled mint, raspberries, lemon, simple syrup and rum then topped with Prosecco for a simple, gorgeous and satisfying sip! So refreshing!
- Fresh Mint Lemonade: Sweet mint and tart lemons make this drink the perfect antidote to the heat of a summer day! Make a pitcher, kick back and enjoy this refreshingly simple drink. A true summer favorite!
- Sparkling Sweet Tea Sangria: A refreshing summer cocktail that’s perfect for sipping on the patio, poolside or at a picnic. It’s easily made with sweet tea, sparkling wine, orange liqueur and fresh berries. The star-spangled fruit kabobs give each glass a fun and festive touch!
What Do I Need to Make Ice Chest Tea
- Bagged crushed ice (like Sonic or Braum’s ice)
- Instant unsweetened tea mix (such as Lipton)
- Water
- Granulated sugar
- Frozen premium lemon juice, thawed (such as Minute Maid)
- Oranges, cut in thick slices
- Lemons, cut in thick slices
- Clean ice chest
More Summer Grilling Favorites
Make your summer cookout delicious from start to finish with my Summer Grilling Favorites. Irresistible appetizers, fresh salads and sides, cold drinks and tempting desserts — it’s all here to enjoy!
How to Make Ice Chest Tea
- Add the 3 bags of crushed ice to a clean ice chest that holds at least 25 quarts.
- Dilute the instant tea in 1 gallon of water. Dilute the sugar in 1 gallon of water.
- Let the tea and sugar dilute while you slice the oranges and lemons.
- Add the diluted tea, diluted sugar, thawed lemon juice, sliced oranges and sliced lemons to the ice chest with the ice.
- Stir to combine. Let set or serve immediately.
If you make this Ice Chest Tea and post a pic to social, be sure to tag me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can see! 😍 I just love seeing how inspired and creative y’all get with the ideas I share. Enjoy!
xoxo,
Ice Chest Tea
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 20+
- Category: Drinks
Description
Ice Chest Tea is the perfect drink to serve to a crowd. It’s refreshing and everyone loves it!
Ingredients
- 3 large bags crushed ice (like Sonic or Braum’s ice)
- 3/4 cup instant unsweetened tea mix (such as Lipton)
- 1 gallon (16 cups) water
- 2–1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 gallon (16 cups) water
- 1/2 (7.5 ounce) bottle frozen premium lemon juice, thawed (such as Minute Maid)
- 4 large oranges, cut in thick slices
- 4 large lemons, cut in thick slices
Instructions
- Add the 3 bags of crushed ice to a clean ice chest that holds at least 25 quarts.
- Dilute the instant tea in 1 gallon of water. Dilute the sugar in 1 gallon of water.
- Let the tea and sugar dilute while you slice the oranges and lemons.
- Add the diluted tea, diluted sugar, thawed lemon juice, sliced oranges and sliced lemons to the ice chest with the ice. Stir to combine. Let set or serve immediately.
Notes
It is recommended to make the tea one day in advance of serving, however, I usually make it the same day and it is still good.
It will keep well in the ice chest for about 3 days. You can add more ice if necessary.
may i use your picture of the ice chest tea for a website project a few of my friends and i are doing for Tsa (technology student association)
Hi Austin! Thanks so much for asking. You have my permission to use the image, but you would need to give clear credit to me along with the image as well as link back to this blog post for the recipe and details. Please do not reprint the recipe. Thanks for sharing!
What is the frozen lemon juice? Is it a bottle that you buy frozen or do you buy the bottle and then freeze it?
Hi Sheila! It comes frozen. Here is the brand I use: https://www.minutemaid.com/products/frozen/premium-lemon-juice/
Looks great! Quick question… is it 1 gallon of water or 2? The recipe quantities call for 1 gallon of water, but the instructions say one gallon of water to dilute the tea and one gallon of water to dilute the sugar. Your guidance is appreciated! Many thanks!
Hi Jaime! 1 gallon of water is listed twice in the ingredients to make sure both the tea and the sugar are diluted. So 2 gallons total, but they’re separated in the ingredient list. Hope this helps clarify. Enjoy!
Love this idea! Do you notice that you loose flavor as the ice melts? How long does this recipe holds it’s flavor?
Hi Ondia! The flavor of the tea is best the first 2 days and then it starts to gradually lose it’s flavor. Enjoy!
I want some right now!!!!
MOM
Couple questions: recipe calls for 3 large bags ice but directions say 5 bags, which is it?
Recipe says frozen lemon juice but directions say frozen lemonade, which is it?
Hi Cara! Thank you so much for catching that. I just corrected the recipe. 🙂
This is a cute idea for a party!