I follow my mom’s method for making fresh-brewed sweet tea, which means that I brew it devilishly strong (always with Bigelow’s Constant Comment) and then let it sit in a pitcher to cool off before I transfer the batch to the refrigerator to cool completely. I use ice and a splash of water to dilute it by the glass—before topping it off with wedges of lemon to enjoy throughout a summer’s day.

But I’ve always wondered: What would happen if I added ice immediately? Or even more curiously I’ve wondered: How necessary is the room temperature cooling step, actually? I haven’t dared find out on my own, for fear of disturbing the tried-and-true method. Instead, I turned to the experts at Milo’s Tea (the best store-bought sweet tea, according to our Taste Test) to learn a thing or two about brewing—and storing—the finest Southern sweet tea outside of my mom’s own kitchen.

How To Cool Down Fresh-Brewed Sweet Tea

According to Pamela Penn, Senior Director of New Product Development at Milo’s, there are some best practices to consider when cooling down fresh-brewed tea—especially if you want to maintain the best flavor and quality to enjoy it iced. In fact, you may be surprised that there are actually more ways than one to cooling fresh-brewed tea, depending on your preferences:

Ice Bath Method

This method uses an ice bath to quickly cool down the tea—and it’s ideal if you want to serve it immediately. This method requires a heat-safe container and a larger container with ice water. “Pour the hot tea into a heat-resistant container,” says Penn, “and place it in an ice bath to quickly lower the temperature.”

Dilution Method

This method calls for adding ice directly to the tea to cool it down quickly, and we use it in our Classic Sweet Tea recipe. It’s a favorite of many Southerners for making it easier to control the strength of the tea, because “adding ice directly can rapidly cool it without sacrificing taste,” says Penn.

Refrigeration

Refrigerating sweet tea is inevitable and necessary, but it’s important to let the brewed tea properly cool first before transferring it to the refrigerator. “Allow the tea to cool slightly before transferring it to the fridge to avoid condensation buildup inside the container,” says Penn, “which can introduce unwanted flavors.”

Tips For Storing Fresh-Brewed Tea

There’s a reason why Milo’s tea is always in the refrigerated section of your grocery store: It’s one of a very few sweet tea options that are made with just a few, fresh ingredients (filtered water, cane sugar, and fresh-brewed tea). Your home-brewed tea is likely made the same simple ingredients, and the rules for keeping flavor great are no different. Here are their recommendations:

• Avoid metallic containers, which can affect the taste of the tea over time in the refrigerator.
• Limit exposure to air and room temperature after it has cooled down. “Glass jars or BPA-free plastic pitchers with tight-sealing lids help prevent oxidation and flavor loss,” says Penn.
• Enjoy after three to four days for optimum flavor, though fresh-brewed tea can last in the refrigerator in a sealed container for five to seven days.
• Shake before serving: separation of sugars and fine tea sediment is totally natural, and giving your tea a gentle shake helps everything reincorporate evenly for a perfect glass.