Quick Answer
It takes about 18-20 Lipton family size tea bags to make a gallon of tea. Each Lipton family size tea bag makes about 8 fluid ounces of tea, so with 16 bags you can make 128 oz or 1 gallon. Some people prefer their tea extra strong so they might use up to 20 bags per gallon.
Calculating How Many Bags For a Gallon
To figure out exactly how many Lipton family size tea bags you need for a gallon, it helps to know:
- A gallon contains 128 fluid ounces
- Each Lipton family size tea bag makes 8 oz of tea
So if each tea bag makes 8 oz, and you need 128 oz for a gallon, you can divide to get the number of bags needed:
128 oz / 8 oz per bag = 16 bags
So in theory, 16 Lipton family size tea bags would make a full gallon of tea.
However, most people prefer their tea on the strong side, so they might use a few extra bags. Anywhere from 18-20 bags per gallon is common.
Here is a visual for how many cups and ounces are in a gallon:
| Unit | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gallons | 1 |
| Quarts | 4 |
| Cups | 16 |
| Ounces | 128 |
As you can see, a gallon contains 16 cups or 128 fluid ounces. Since each Lipton tea bag makes around 8 oz, you would need 16 bags to make 128 oz of tea.
Other Factors That Affect Tea Strength
While the basic math says you need 16 bags for a gallon of tea, there are some other factors that can alter the taste and strength:
- Steeping time: The longer the tea steeps, the stronger it gets. Steeping for 5 minutes makes a bolder tea than 2 minutes.
- Water temperature: Hotter water extracts more flavor. Tea is best made with boiling 212°F water.
- Reusing tea bags: Used tea bags have less flavor. For strongest taste, use fresh bags.
- Bag size: Larger family size bags contain more tea leaves than smaller bags.
- Personal taste: Some people naturally prefer stronger or weaker tea.
Due to individual preferences, most people add 2-4 extra bags per gallon to make sure the tea has a bold, saturated flavor.
Making a Gallon of Tea With Lipton Bags
Here is a simple step-by-step method for making a gallon of fresh iced tea using Lipton tea bags:
- Bring 1 gallon of fresh water to a boil (or heat until very hot if not boiling).
- Remove from heat and add 18-20 Lipton family size tea bags.
- Cover and steep for 5+ minutes.
- Remove tea bags and dispose.
- Fill 1 gallon pitcher or jug with the hot tea.
- Allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled.
- Serve over ice. Add sugar, honey, lemon, or other flavorings as desired.
- Store leftover tea in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
The exact number of bags can vary based on your preferred tea strength. But 18-20 bags makes a full-bodied gallon with rich Lipton tea flavor.
Buying Lipton Tea Bags for Gallon Quantities
When buying Lipton tea bags to make gallons of iced tea, look for the family size or jumbo packs. Here are some options:
- Lipton Black Tea Family Size Tea Bags (64 ct): Contains 64 tea bags per box, enough to make 8 gallons
- Lipton Pure Leaf Extra Sweet Tea Bags (80 ct): Contains 80 pre-sweetened tea bags, enough for around 5 gallons
- Lipton Green Tea Family Size (60 ct): Contains 60 decaffeinated tea bags, enough for about 4 gallons
The family size packs provide the most value when making multiple gallons over time. You can also find Lipton tea bags in smaller quantities if you only need 1-2 gallons. Look for the 100% Natural Tea packs with 20-22 bags.
Some grocery stores also sell Lipton tea bags in bulk or “tea house” styles designed for making pitchers and gallons of tea. These usually contain at least 100 tea bags for making many gallons.
How Many Tea Bags for Half Gallon and Quarter Gallon
The same math applies if you want to make smaller quantities of Lipton tea:
- For half gallon (64 oz): Use 8-10 tea bags
- For quarter gallon (32 oz): Use 4-5 tea bags
Simply divide the total ounces needed by 8 oz per tea bag. Then add a couple extra bags for strength.
You can make any amount by substituting the desired quantity into the formula:
Total ounces needed / 8 oz per bag = Number of bags
Always round up to the nearest whole number of bags when calculating for batches of tea.
Using Loose Leaf Tea vs Tea Bags for Gallon Quantities
You can also use loose leaf tea instead of tea bags to make gallon-sized batches. The advantage of loose tea is you can control the tea to water ratio for stronger or weaker taste.
As a general guideline, use ~1/4 cup of loose leaf black tea per gallon. But adjust to your taste preferences.
Brew the loose tea leaves in a teapot or mesh strainer basket. Then pour the finished tea into a gallon container and refrigerate until cold.
Loose leaf tea may provide more customizable strength, but tea bags like Lipton are still convenient and consistent for making gallon quantities. The tea bags help simplify brewing and steeping when making large volumes of iced tea.
Choosing the Best Lipton Tea Flavors for Gallons
All varieties of Lipton tea bags can be used to make gallon-sized batches of iced tea. However, the black tea and green tea flavors are especially popular choices:
- Lipton Black Tea: The classic Lipton black tea bags produce a bold tasting tea with rich amber color. Great traditional tea flavor for gallons of iced tea.
- Lipton Pure Leaf Black Tea: Made with Rainforest Alliance certified tea leaves. Provides an ultra smooth, refreshing flavor.
- Lipton Green Tea: Brews a lighter, more delicate flavored green tea. Try jasmine, citrus, or mint green tea varieties.
- Lipton Diet Green Tea: Provides the health benefits of green tea with zero calories when brewed without sugar.
- Lipton Herbal Tea: Naturally caffeine-free herbal teas like chamomile and mint are soothing iced tea options.
- Lipton Premium Tea: More sophisticated flavored black teas like Earl Grey and English Breakfast are nice alternatives.
Any Lipton tea bag flavors can be prepared in gallon quantities. Pick your favorite or mix varieties to make customized large batches of delicious iced tea for gatherings and events.
How Many Tea Bags for 2.5 Gallons and Other Large Volumes
The gallon calculations can be easily adjusted if you need to make larger quantities of Lipton iced tea:
- For 2.5 gallons: Use 40-50 tea bags
- For 3 gallons: Use 48-60 tea bags
- For 5 gallons: Use 80-100 tea bags
Simply take the number of gallons and multiply by 16-20 bags per gallon.
Making very large volumes like 5+ gallons? Consider using loose leaf tea instead of bags for the best flavor and economy. Otherwise, purchase Lipton family size tea bags in bulk.
Storing Brewed Iced Tea Safely
When making gallon-sized batches of iced tea with Lipton tea bags, proper storage is important for safety:
- Brew tea fresh before each event, or refrigerate immediately after brewing.
- Keep refrigerated at 40°F or below.
- Store in clean, disinfected containers, preferably with lids.
- Discard tea if left unrefrigerated for longer than 4 hours.
- Consume or discard refrigerated tea within 3-5 days.
Improperly stored tea can develop mold or bacteria. For maximum food safety and freshness, brew new gallons of iced tea as needed and don’t leave sitting out too long.
Enjoying Lipton’s Signature Tea Taste in Gallon Quantities
With its bright, refreshing taste and classic orange label, Lipton has been a trusted tea brand for over 100 years. Their convenient family size tea bags make it easy to enjoy Lipton’s signature flavor in large gallon-sized batches perfect for pouring over ice.
A general rule of thumb is 16 bags for a basic gallon, or up to 20 bags for extra strong tea. Adjust the amount to your taste and occasion. Proper steeping and storage will ensure a delicious gallon of Lipton tea to savor all season long.
