There’s nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than a tall glass of iced tea. From bold black blends to delicate green and matcha variations, these recipes and tips from a tea sommelier will help you make perfect iced tea every time.
Homemade Iced Teas
Summer is the season of iced tea. Whether you prefer a brisk black tea, a subtly sweet green tea, or a fruit-infused iced blend, homemade iced tea delivers fresher flavor and better balance than store-bought mixes. With a few simple techniques you can brew a crisp, refreshing pitcher for one or a crowd.
2 Ways to Make Iced Tea
Cold Brew
Cold brewing means steeping tea in cold water in the refrigerator for several hours. This slow extraction produces a smooth, low‑astringency iced tea that highlights delicate flavors—ideal for green and floral teas.
Hot Brew
Hot brewing extracts flavor quickly but requires careful timing to avoid bitterness. Brew tea with hot water, cool it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, then pour over ice. Hot brewing works well for robust black teas and blends that benefit from fuller extraction.
Save these iced tea ideas for later—pin your favorites to a board and try them throughout the season.
17 Best Iced Tea Recipes
A bright, tart lemon iced tea is a summer classic. Brew a smooth black tea at the correct temperature and steep time to avoid bitterness, then balance with fresh lemon and a touch of sweetener. The result is a clean, refreshing drink with bold tea flavor and lively citrus notes.
Ingredients: Black tea, lemon juice, sugar, water, ice
LEMON ICED TEA
This homemade Arnold Palmer mixes scratch-made lemonade with a milder cold-brewed black tea for a perfectly balanced sweet-tart drink. Layer the lemonade, ice, and tea for a pretty presentation.
Ingredients: Black tea, fresh lemon, sugar, water, ice
ARNOLD PALMER DRINK
A quick, four-ingredient iced black tea that brews and chills in minutes. Use quality black tea bags like English Breakfast or Ceylon, and sweeten lightly or add flavored syrups for variation.
Ingredients: Black tea, sugar, water, ice
ICED BLACK TEA
Make a vibrant strawberry syrup from ripe berries and stir it into green tea for a fruity, refreshing iced tea. Brew hot, cool quickly with ice, and follow steeping guidelines to avoid bitterness.
Ingredients: Green tea, strawberry syrup, water, ice
STRAWBERRY ICED TEA
This iced green tea uses a quick ice-chill method to lock in bright, grassy notes. Brew gently, then cool with ice to preserve the tea’s natural freshness. Easy to scale for gatherings and adaptable with syrups or citrus.
Ingredients: Green tea, sugar, water, ice
ICED GREEN TEA
A budget-friendly copycat of a popular café drink: black tea combined with lemonade. Shake in a cocktail shaker for a foamy texture similar to barista-made versions.
Ingredients: English Breakfast tea, lemonade, water, ice
ICED BLACK TEA LEMONADE
Make peach iced tea using fresh peaches for a syrup that pairs beautifully with a blend of black teas. Garnish with peach slices for a pretty, party-ready pitcher.
Ingredients: Earl Grey tea, English Breakfast tea, peaches, sugar, water, ice
PEACH ICED TEA
A fruity, vibrant iced tea mixed with lemonade—ready in minutes. Brew hot, mix with lemonade and ice, and refrigerate for up to four days for quick serving.
Ingredients: Passion tea, lemonade, water, ice
ICED PASSION TANGO TEA LEMONADE
This ruby-red raspberry iced tea is ideal for large batches and celebrations. Combine properly brewed black tea with a raspberry syrup for bright flavor without bitterness.
Ingredients: Black tea, raspberries, sugar, water, ice
RASPBERRY ICED TEA
Lightly floral and aromatic, lavender iced tea pairs dried, food-grade lavender buds with black tea and a subtle sweetener. Use culinary-grade lavender only.
Ingredients: Black tea, dried lavender, sugar, water, ice
LAVENDER ICED TEA
A revitalizing green tea lemonade that lets you control sweetness and strength. Brew your own tea from bags for the best flavor and customize ice and syrups to taste.
Ingredients: Jade Citrus Mint tea, lemonade, water, ice
ICED GREEN TEA LEMONADE
A Southern favorite, sweet tea is simply strong brewed tea sweetened while warm so the sugar dissolves evenly. Find the right sugar-to-tea ratio for your taste and serve over plenty of ice.
Ingredients: Iced tea bag, sugar, water, ice
SWEET TEA
A modern take on an Arnold Palmer using powdered matcha instead of brewed tea. The vegetal notes of matcha are balanced by tart lemonade; shake to mix and serve layered if you like.
Ingredients: Matcha, lemon, sugar, water, ice
MATCHA LEMONADE
Floral and elegant, rose iced tea uses edible dried rose buds steeped with black tea for a fragrant profile. Lightly sweeten and consider topping with a rose cold foam for extra creaminess.
Ingredients: Black tea, dried rose buds, sugar, water, ice
ROSE ICED TEA
Fresh watermelon puree sweetens this matcha iced drink, eliminating the need for added sugar. Make layered glasses by pouring puree first, then matcha, and garnish with a small watermelon slice.
Ingredients: Watermelon, matcha, water, ice
ICED WATERMELON MATCHA
This stunning, color-changing drink uses butterfly pea flowers for vibrant blue that turns purple with lemon. Paired with matcha and lemonade, it’s visually impressive and delicious.
Ingredients: Butterfly pea flowers, matcha, lemon, sugar, water, ice
BUTTERFLY PEA FLOWER MATCHA LEMONADE
Cold brew green tea infused with fresh mint yields a crisp, mellow iced tea with no bitterness. Allow about six hours in the refrigerator for full flavor extraction, and sweeten with simple syrup if desired.
Ingredients: Green tea, mint, water, ice
COLD BREW GREEN TEA
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