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Grandma's Iced Rhubarb Tea

Grandma's iced rhubarb tea is a homemade summer drink with pink-tinted tea, bright lemon, and fresh mint. Simmered rhubarb creates a naturally rosy color, then black or green tea steeping finishes the flavor before chilling.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
cooling and chilling 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Calories: 220
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Rhubarb tea base
  • 6 cups fresh rhubarb Chopped
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 tea bags (black or green tea)
  • 2 lemons Juice
  • 1 fresh mint leaves
  • 1 ice for serving
  • 1 lemon slices for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 large pot

Method
 

Simmer the rhubarb
  1. Combine the fresh rhubarb and water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Look for vigorous bubbling all over the surface.
  2. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook for 15 minutes until the rhubarb is very soft. You should be able to mash the rhubarb easily with a spoon.
Steep, sweeten, and flavor
  1. Remove from the heat, add the tea bags, and steep for 5 minutes. The tea should look darker and more fragrant as it steeps.
  2. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, pressing to extract all liquid. The pulp should leave behind mostly clear pink tea.
  3. Stir the sugar into the hot strained liquid until fully dissolved, then add the lemon juice. The mixture should look evenly sweet and bright.
Chill and serve
  1. Cool the rhubarb tea to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours. It should be fully chilled and take on a deeper pink tint.
  2. Serve over ice with fresh mint leaves and lemon slices. The pitcher should leave visible condensation and the drink should sparkle with cold ice.

Notes

Pro tip: Press the rhubarb solids firmly when straining for maximum flavor and color. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days; freeze only if desired for longer storage (texture may soften after thawing). For a lower-sugar option, replace the 1 cup sugar with a 1:1 sugar substitute designed for cold and hot liquids.