I only drink unsweetened tea, hot or cold. I normally heat water to just under the boiling point. Most of the time I do couple of cups in the microwave, faster and easier. Then I add the tea bags for about 5 min and take them out and pour over ice. I don't want the bitter stuff to get into my tea. When you drink it without sugar, etc then you notice the taste of the tea itself. I can't stand instant tea, no matter what. If I was going to add sugar it would be to disolve it in the hot water first.