How to Make a Pitcher of Iced Tea With Instant Tea Powder
To make a pitcher of iced tea with instant tea powder, use 2 teaspoons of powder per 64 fl oz pitcher, or 4 teaspoons per gallon. Dissolve the powder in a cup of warm water first, pour it into the pitcher, then top with cold water and stir. No brewing, no steeping, no tea bags to fish out.
Scaling chart
| Volume | Instant tea powder |
|---|---|
| 8–10 fl oz (1 glass) | 1/4 tsp |
| 32 fl oz (quart) | 1 tsp |
| 64 fl oz (standard pitcher) | 2 tsp |
| 128 fl oz (1 gallon) | 4 tsp |
Waka instant tea is concentrated, so these amounts look small compared to the number of tea bags you would otherwise use. Start here and adjust to taste — unlike brewed tea, you can always stir in a little more powder to strengthen a pitcher that is already made.
Method
- Measure the powder for your pitcher size using the chart above.
- Stir it into about 1 cup of warm water until fully dissolved.
- Pour into the pitcher and top with cold water to your target volume.
- Stir, then refrigerate or serve over ice.
You can also add the powder directly to cold water and stir well — it will dissolve, it just takes longer. The warm-water step exists to save you stirring, not because cold water fails.
Why powder beats brewing for a pitcher
- No cloudiness. Iced tea brewed from bags often turns cloudy when hot tea is chilled quickly. There is nothing to precipitate out of a dissolved powder.
- No over-steeping. Forget a pitcher of brewing tea bags and you get a harsh, tannic batch. Instant tea has already been extracted, so it cannot over-steep.
- No waste. No bags or loose leaf to compost or bin.
- It stays where you left it. A pitcher does not keep getting stronger in the fridge.
Sweetening and flavoring
Waka instant teas contain no added sugars or sweeteners, including the flavored varieties, so a pitcher starts completely unsweetened and you control what goes in. Add sweetener at the warm-water stage so it dissolves fully rather than settling at the bottom of the pitcher.
For sugar-free options, see our guide on how to sweeten iced tea without sugar. Fresh citrus, mint or sliced fruit added to the pitcher also works, and fruit-flavored powders are available in lemon, mango, peach, pineapple and blueberry for green tea, and Earl Grey, peach and blueberry for black tea.
Frequently asked questions
How much instant tea powder for a gallon of iced tea?
About 4 teaspoons per 128 fl oz gallon. Adjust from there to taste.
How long does a pitcher keep in the fridge?
Treat it like any brewed iced tea and drink it within a few days. Keep it covered and refrigerated.
Can I make a concentrate?
Yes. Dissolve the full pitcher's worth of powder into a smaller volume of water, refrigerate it, and dilute by the glass. This is useful if fridge space is tight.
How much caffeine is in a glass?
Approximately 35 mg per 1/4 tsp serving for both black and green instant tea, which is roughly what one glass from a properly scaled pitcher contains. Decaf black instant tea contains approximately 0.17 mg per 1/4 tsp.
Does it work for loaded teas?
Yes — the same powders are what most people use as the tea base. See what is a loaded tea and how to choose your base.
