Iced Tea Drink Recipes
Rose is a full-time freelance writer who frequently writes about education, special education, DIY projects, food, Milwaukee, and more.
Making iced tea at home is a great way to save money while getting to experiment with some brand new recipes. It is not expensive or time consuming to make tea at home. The best part is that when you're creating your own drinks from scratch, you can decide exactly what goes into them. Customize the flavors to suit your personal needs and preferences.
I have a short tips section for making iced tea, followed by a plethora of different types of iced tea recipes. I have the recipes divided into the following sections:
- Classic. Green, lemon, Chai, sweet tea.
- Winning combinations. Mint lemon/lime, ginger/lemongrass, ginger/honey, ginger/orange, lemon basil/ginger, chamomile/lavender/mint, Chai with apple, with coconut cream.
- Fruit. Blueberry, lemon, lime, orange, raspberry, peach, tangerine, pomegranate.
- International. Thai, Malaysian calamansi, Korean matcha, Nuoc Mat.
- Alcoholic. Mint mojito, Bourbon lemonade, John Daly, mango sangria, gin with fruit tea, Long Island.
Enjoy!
Tips for Making Great Iced Tea
- Purchase high quality tea bags and/or loose tea leaves. I know that many people only use loose leaves and would frown on the tea bag suggestion. Tea bags are still a much higher quality option than powdered tea. There is nothing wrong with the major brands like Lipton, but if you're making tea at home, take it up a notch and try something new.
- Use filtered water and fresh ice cubes. If the water that comes out of your tap doesn't taste great, think about using a Brita filter system instead. Make sure that you wash out your ice cube trays before re-filling them on a regular basis to ensure fresh cubes with a good taste.
- Consider purchasing an iced tea pitcher and double wall or insulated glasses. If you will be making large batches of iced tea that you drink every day or almost every day, it's worth investing in a few iced tea supplies.
- Pay attention to the brewing instructions and recipe directions. Different kinds of tea have different brewing times and may require different quantities (i.e. number of bags) for iced tea. Make sure to read the directions on the bag or box as well as the steps for the given recipe before you begin making your tea.
Bigelow Iced Tea Tips
Add fruit to your iced tea with ease.
How to Make Starbucks Iced Green Tea
Many of the most popular hot tea flavors also make wonderful iced teas.
- Green tea. You can't go wrong with this classic.
- Lemon tea. Don't give into temptation and use tea powder like the recipe suggests! Take the time to brew your own. It will be well worth it.
- Chai tea. When I went through my huge Chai tea phase (see the tea bag photo above), I made a lot of Tazo Chai iced tea. It is just as good cold as it is hot. I love the idea of adding cinnamon to it.
- Sweet tea. You don't have to live in the South to enjoy this classic.
Great Tea Advice, Tips, and Facts
- Tea - A Guide for the Beginner TEA Drinker, What they are, How to Brew them, and TEA WARE
- A Complete Guide for Newbies To Green and White Tea
- How to Steep Green Loose Leaf Tea
Are you interested in branching out from one of the classic flavors but aren't sure where to start? Consider one of these popular combination drinks.
- Mint and lemon or mint and lime. You'll need 10-12 fresh mint leaves to make these teas.
- Ginger and lemongrass. You can also pair ginger with lemonade.
- Ginger and honey. The blog author added mint leaves and cucumber slices to her glass, too.
- Ginger and orange. Are you getting an idea how many great pairings there are for ginger? This sun tea recipe includes a recipe for chocolate chip cookies, too.
- Lemon basil and ginger. This is another perfect option for summer when you can pick fresh basil.
- Fruit and basil. The recipe here calls for nectarine, but you can mix this up however you like.
- Chamomile, lavender, and mint. Change up your tea routine and give lavender a try.
- Chai with apple. The cinnamon and apples will give you a little hint of fall.
- With coconut cream. This blog author suggests adding a mix of heavy cream and coconut cream to iced coffee or tea. You can also use it for a Chai tea latte.
Incorporate the wonderful fruit flavors of summer into your iced tea drinks.
- Iced Tea Lemonade or Limeade. When you're ready to change it up from lemon tea, go for lime. Check out Iced Green Tea Limeade.
- Blueberry Green Tea. Blueberry syrup will work perfectly for this recipe. You can also add mint to your blueberry.
- Orange Cinnamon. Anja shares a great story with this drink.
- Green tea with mandarin oranges, peaches, and strawberries. This blog author adds an extra fruit punch with fruit ice cubes.
- Tangerine Raspberry. This tea is so pretty.
- Passion Fruit. It's a little time consuming to make the passion fruit syrup but well worth it.
- Peach. Keep it simple with a single fruit.
- Peach Sparkler. For those of you who like a little fizz in your drinks but are looking for an alternative to soda, this is a perfect compromise.
- Texas Tea (orange and lemon). The author created her own non-alcoholic Texas Tea recipe when she couldn't find one that she liked.
- Pomegranate. This is another tea with a beautiful color.
Thai Iced Tea Recipe (Cha Yen)
Are you interested in re-creating an iced tea you had at a restaurant, intrigued to sample some international cuisine, or simply looking for something new? Check out these recipes.
- Thai Iced Tea. This has become such a classic that I almost could have put it in that section instead. You can also make it from scratch.
- Iced Calamansi Tea. A popular drink in Malaysia, this local version of a citrus iced tea is made with Calamansi limes, which are readily available there. The author recommends using BOH tea.
- Iced matcha green tea latte. While this may not be authentic, it is definitely Korean inspired. Whether or not you want to make this right away, click over to the recipe because this drink is beautiful.
- Nuoc Mat - Artichoke and Pandan Iced Tea. This a common Vietnamese iced tea.
Great Chicago Tea Shops
I expected all of my alcoholic search results for this topic to be Long Island iced tea, but I found some other great options. I am not recommending that you make one of these recipes your regular morning kick of caffeine or your nightly wind down drink. However, they are great recipes for barbeques, the Fourth of July, and other special events throughout the summer.
- Iced Green Tea Mojito. Is there any better way to celebrate summer than by combining green tea with a mojito?
- Bourbon Lemonade. Making the lemonade AND iced tea from scratch will be so rewarding.
- John Daly. A similar twist to the bourbon lemonade with lemon flavored vodka.
- Mango Sangria. Give your sangria a unique twist by adding tea to it.
- Gin with fruit tea. Combine your favorite fruit tea with gin, lemon, and mint.
- Long Island Iced Tea. Obviously this isn't much of a tea recipe, but I know that there are people who got here searching for it.
More summer recipe resources from the author.
- Iced Coffee Drink Recipes
Are you looking for an iced coffee recipe? Make a delicious classic, sweet, seasonal, international, blended, or alcoholic coffee drink right at home. - Non Alcoholic and Alcoholic Watermelon Drink Recipes for Summer
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy delicious cold watermelon drinks. There are lots of non alcoholic and alcoholic recipes with options ranging from lemonade to sangria to Moscow mules. - Alcoholic Popsicle Recipes: How to Make Popsicle Margaritas, Cocktails, and More
This article contains a wide variety of alcoholic Popsicle recipes. It includes recipes for Popsicle margaritas, mojitos, and other cocktails as well as recipes with beer and with tequila.
Comments
Melissa Maxwell from Lafayette, Louisiana on July 28, 2017:
Those teas sound great! I live in Louisiana where it gets hot enough to make sun tea. You put a big jar of water and teabags outside in the sun for a few hours (Preferably on a concrete porch) and when it feels like it's running a temperature, it's ready!
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 11, 2014:
anjaycrossroad and Monis Mas, I'm glad that you found some ideas here that you like!
Agnes on June 11, 2014:
Mint Lemon/Lime sounds delicious to me! Yum :-)
Anjay Crossroad from Europe on June 11, 2014:
If I had to choose between all ice teas, I would opt in for the one "from" Long Island :D
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on May 18, 2013:
That's great, Kathryn! I'm glad that you were able to find some new recipes here just in time for summer.
Careermommy, yep, you have lots of new ideas for the warmer weather now! Enjoy your tea. :)
Tirralan Watkins from Los Angeles, CA on May 18, 2013:
This is right on time for the summer. Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'm trying to drink more teas versus coffee drinks so this is perfect.
Kathryn from Windsor, Connecticut on May 18, 2013:
I saw this a few days ago, and now I am back to take a look at it. I love tea in many forms, and this one hits the spot! I knew there were a lot of varieties of tea, but I didn't know about all of the alcoholic ones. Very interesting!
Thanks for sharing this with us. Voted up and sharing! This is perfect timing for the warmer weather!
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on May 17, 2013:
Thanks, Anamika! I hope that you get a chance to try some new varieties soon. :) There are so many great kinds of tea available.
Anamika S Jain from Mumbai - Maharashtra, India on May 17, 2013:
Interesting! I have never tried anything other than lemon and peach ice tea so far. I never knew there are so many varieties I could try. Thanks for sharing!
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on May 17, 2013:
That's awesome, Cyndi! I had no idea that you love tea so much. Tazo has been one of my favorites for nearly ten years now.
Cynthia Calhoun from Western NC on May 17, 2013:
I love this! I'm such a tea addict that every year for my birthday or Christmas, I get tea items. I got a water boiler (it boils water in a container in 90 seconds flat) and about 15 boxes of Tazo tea from my mom last year. Hehe. People who know me know I LOOOOOOVE tea. Now, I gotta go make some...where's my ginger? :)
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 10, 2012:
Thanks, dobo700! Enjoy your iced tea. :)
dobo700 from Australia on July 10, 2012:
Thanks, I don't drink iced tea much, but after reading your article I will have to give it another go. Voted as useful
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 09, 2012:
You're absolutely right, sord87!
sord87 on July 08, 2012:
Most of Asian people makes tea their favourite drink.The contains inside it has made tea a very healthy drink and the main element for anti aging too!
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 29, 2012:
Yes, for sure! Enjoy this summer. :)
iefox5 on June 29, 2012:
It is summer and it is iced drink time, timely and helpful recipes, voted as useful :)
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 29, 2012:
It's more complex than you would think, right? Enjoy your teas! Thanks for the share.
Vespa Woolf from Peru, South America on June 29, 2012:
Wow, I didn't realize there's so much to learn about tea! I definitely plan to improve my tea-making skills with this hub. I vote for fruit and basil or coconut cream. Voted up and shared.
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 26, 2012:
Thanks kittythedreamer! Lemonade with iced tea sounds amazing. I will have to check out your recipe!
Kitty Fields from Summerland on June 26, 2012:
This reminds me of my summer lemonade hub that I wrote a bit ago...but with tea! Awesome recipes...this is exactly how I make my iced tea with either Chai tea bags, or fresh peppermint & lemon balm leaves. Voted up and awesome!
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 26, 2012:
Christy and lovedoctor, yes for sure!
lovedoctor926 on June 26, 2012:
This looks sweet and refreshing!
Christy Birmingham from British Columbia, Canada on June 26, 2012:
Yummy, iced tea really is so refreshing on a hot summer day!
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 25, 2012:
Thanks! Enjoy the recipes!
Rev. Akins from Tucson, AZ on June 24, 2012:
I love tea, especially chai! I am looking forward to trying some of these. Thanks for the recipes!
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 23, 2012:
Thanks bochshiner! I'm going to have to try that this summer, too.
bockshiner from Dallas, TX on June 23, 2012:
I'm addicted to tea and these iced teas sound good. I'm also going to have to try the sangria with tea.
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 23, 2012:
I know, right? It's amazing how many recipes are out there! Thanks!
Linda Bilyeu from Orlando, FL on June 23, 2012:
Who would have thought you could create so many unique iced tea flavors! I guess if you could do it with coffee why not do the same to tea. I'm a fan of hot tea, but this hub is da bomb! Well done!
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 23, 2012:
Thanks Julie!
Bill, no worries! Thanks. :)
Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on June 23, 2012:
I could have sworn I left a comment, Rose, but I don't see it. Anyway, great ideas here and I love iced tea, so great hub!
Blurter of Indiscretions from Clinton CT on June 23, 2012:
Oohh, I'm a tea addict. Voting this one right on up!!!!! :)
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 22, 2012:
Leah, that's the perfect combination for a good drink!
Thanks, walkingwithhim! Me too. :)
walkingwithhim on June 22, 2012:
Another great one! I love good iced teas.
Leah Lefler from Western New York on June 22, 2012:
Oh my goodness, I definitely want a Long Island iced tea right now. Haha! It sounds so delightful (hot weather outside on a quiet, Friday evening).
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 22, 2012:
Thanks Kelley! You have lots of new options now.
Thanks Om! You'll have to give that a try sometime. :)
Om Paramapoonya on June 22, 2012:
Lovely! I like all the suggestions on your "winning combinations" list. I have tried ginger tea and lemongrass tea, but have never put the two together. I think it will be a great combination indeed! Thanks for sharing this lovely hub :)
kelleyward on June 22, 2012:
I've never heard of many of these ideas so I'm excited to try some soon. I drink ice tea daily so this is certainly something I'll try! Voted up and shared! Kelley
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 22, 2012:
Thanks Mhatter99! That's great. :)
Thelma, iced tea is perfect for hot days. Thanks for the share!
Thanks Cassy! Have fun with your iced tea.
ercramer, that's awesome. :) Thanks!
Eric Cramer from Chicagoland on June 22, 2012:
Can't wait to go home and try a few of these! Great job!
CassyLu1981 from Spring Lake, NC on June 22, 2012:
Wow, how awesome! I am definitely going to try some of these out! Voted up and Shared!
Thelma Alberts from Germany on June 22, 2012:
Oh, what a choice! I can make these drinks on a very hot summer days. Thanks for the recipe. Voted up and SHARED.
Martin Kloess from San Francisco on June 21, 2012:
I like ice tea. it took me a while to figure out why a "classy" glass is served with a spoon.
Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 21, 2012:
Jackie, thanks! You'll have to give Tazo Chai a try. I hadn't been a big black tea fan before that, but it completely changed my mind.
Nell, when you do get some hot weather your way, you'll have to pull out one of these recipes.
greatstuff, that's awesome about the Malaysian tea.
jonmcclusk, it is amazing how many different things you can do with homemade iced tea, and it often tastes so much better. Have fun with your tea.
Thanks Victoria! You're right that tea is so refreshing.
Victoria Lynn from Arkansas, USA on June 21, 2012:
Lots of great cool summer choices. Tea is so refreshing. I really need to make it more often! thanks. Sharing this one!
Jonathan McCloskey from Cinnaminson, New Jersey on June 21, 2012:
Just wonderful. There was a time, long ago, where I used to buy my iced from the gallon; needless to say I no longer do and these twists are even more reason not to buy it. Thanks for the tips and saving me some more money!
Mazlan A from Malaysia on June 21, 2012:
Wow, that's quite a selection. You even have my favorite Malaysian Iced calamansi tea, in fact it is a favorite drink by many Malaysians. Voted useful and Shared.
Nell Rose from England on June 21, 2012:
Hi, I have never had iced tea, living in England we tend to drink hot tea with milk and sugar, or drink the other types of tea hot with lemon, so I am going to give these a try when we do actually get some hot weather over here! lol! loved it!
Jackie Lynnley from the beautiful south on June 21, 2012:
Mm, these sound great. I make tea once a week for the whole week and have never liked chai any way but hot but yours sounds promising, will try that and some of your others. Love that tea!
