When the sun is shining and the temperature is rising, there’s nothing quite like a refreshing glass of iced tea to cool you down. But with so many different types of tea and flavor combinations out there, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best iced teas for summer, to help you find your perfect brew.
I love iced teas and am constantly looking for recipes for the best iced teas for summer. I loved making iced tea with ice cubes or just ice-cold water.
There are SO many different ways to make a good sweet tea! These are the perfect drink for a hot summer day! Cold brew tea with a few lemon slices? YES, PLEASE!
Whether you prefer fruity, floral, or herbal flavors, there’s an iced tea out there for everyone’s taste buds. From classic black tea with a twist of lemon and white tea to exotic blends like hibiscus and ginger, there are a lot of yummy delicious recipes for iced teas to make.
Basics Of Iced Tea (Tea Help!)
When it comes to cold brew iced tea, there are a few best ways and simple steps to keep in mind to ensure that you end up with an iced tea that you will actually WANT to drink (for special occasions or just for every day)!
Taste And Tea Steep
The taste of your iced tea will depend on a few factors, including the type of tea you use, how long you steep it, and whether you add any sugar or other flavorings (duh!). Some teas, like black tea, are naturally stronger and more bitter than others, like green tea or herbal tea.
Steeping your tea (in hot water or cold water) for too long can also make it taste bitter (depending on the tea), so it’s important to avoid steeping for too long. And, of course, adding sugar or other sweeteners like honey, can help balance out the bitterness and make your tea taste yummy.
Methods For Making Iced Tea
There are two main methods for making iced tea: hot brewing and cold brewing. Hot brewing involves steeping your tea in boiling water, then cooling it down by adding ice or refrigerating it.
Cold brewing, on the other hand, involves steeping your tea in cold water for several hours or overnight. Both methods can produce delicious iced tea!
I read that by allowing the tea to steep in cold water for a LONG time, it has been found to optimize the health benefits of the tea, by increasing the antioxidant activity and giving it higher levels of total phenolics and gallic acid.
Filtering
If you’re using loose-leaf tea, it’s important to filter out any stray leaves or particles before serving your iced tea. You can use a fine mesh strainer or a paper filter to do this.
If you’re using tea bags, you don’t need to worry about filtering. I usually always use tea bags because I am too lazy to fish out all the leaves after making my tea!
The Best Iced Teas For Summer!
I found some absolutely mouth-watering best iced tea recipes and they are all listed for you below! Some of these I have never heard of before and now I MUST make!
These iced tea recipes are the perfect choice for hot summer days and I can’t wait for the next hot day to try out some of these cold drinks! Summer is the perfect time to try out these refreshing iced teas!
Here are some of our favorite and delicious flavored iced teas to try this summer:
Sweet Tea Recipe (Refined Sugar-Free)
You don’t need a special event to savor the refreshing taste of this sugar-free sweet tea recipe by A Sweet Alternative. It’s an ideal choice for backyard gatherings and barbecues in the sunny season, but you can relish this delightful and revitalizing iced tea anytime, thanks to its absence of refined sugar. Make a big batch of this tea or a single cup of tea for you to enjoy solo!
Dominican Style Ginger Iced Tea
This Dominican style ginger iced tea by FoolProofLiving will have you craving the crisp ocean air and beaches of the Dominican. Light and airy!
Iced Lavender Blueberry Jasmine Tea
Experience the invigorating essence of this Iced Lavender Blueberry Jasmine Tea by SiftAndSimmer.com, which combines the refreshing notes of fruit, the fragrant aroma of lavender, and the soothing infusion of green tea. With a blend of fresh blueberries, lavender syrup, and green tea it is a great choice to sip on those hot summer days! This is definitely my new favorite iced tea!
Agua de jamaica (Hibiscus Iced Tea)
A favorite in Mexico, this is a classic recipe that is perfect all year long. The tangy hibiscus pairs nicely with all sorts of meals, and you can even serve this hot.
Lemongrass Tea
Indulge in the revitalizing, aromatic, and tantalizing flavors of this Lemongrass Tea recipe by siftandsimmer.com! It is made with lemongrass tea, zesty ginger, honey, and tangy lime. This tea taste great hot or cold!
Sparkling Pineapple Passion Tea
Sparkling Pineapple Passion Tea – If you like Tazo® Passion Tea, you will love this refreshing twist on your favorite drink! Made with three simple ingredients and is perfect for sipping on this summer. By Belleofthekitchen.com. She has amazing iced tea recipes, also check out her Blackberry Sweet Tea! It is sweet tea with a refreshing twist of fresh, juicy blackberries! This tea is the perfect way to cool down on a hot day, and makes a lovely drink to offer guests during the summer time months!
Thai Iced Tea
This refreshing beverage of sweet and creamy drink is perfect for those warm summer afternoons. Brewed from a combination of black tea, spices, and sweetened condensed milk, it offers a distinctive, robust flavor that balances beautifully with its creamy richness. Recipe by BayeVskitchen.
Blueberry Iced Tea
This homemade blueberry iced tea by PeelWithZeal.com is crafted with fresh blueberries and black tea, embodies the epitome of a revitalizing summer beverage. It strikes a flawless balance of sweetness, providing just the right amount of delightful flavor without overwhelming the taste buds.
Peach Homemade Iced Tea
Indulge in the delightful flavors of this Peach Iced Tea by ANerdCooks.com, a beverage that embodies the essence of summer in every sip. Its sweetness and deliciousness are unparalleled, creating a refreshing experience that captures the essence of the season. So tasty!
Iced Ginger Tea with Honey
This iced ginger tea by MilkAndPop.com is infused with the natural goodness of honey and lemon juice, this chilled tea not only tantalizes your taste buds but also provides a much-needed immunity boost. It’s bound to become your go-to beverage for embracing the mornings on sunny summer days! And another good one by Milk and pop – Brown Sugar Milk Iced Tea!
Instant Pot Homemade Sweet Iced Tea
This instant pot homemade sweet iced tea by ProfusionCurry.com is great for summer! It is simple to make and tastes so sweet and yummy!
Algerian Sweet Tea
Algerian Tea (recipe by Art of Natural Living) is a delightful beverage that offers a unique blend of sweetness, along with refreshing citrus and mint flavors. It can be enjoyed both hot and cold, making it a versatile choice for any time of the year.
Citrus Bourbon Iced Tea
This delicious Citrus Bourbon Iced Tea by MomFoodie.com is a wonderful and refreshing summer drink with a little ‘punch’ to it! This blood orange, lemon, and lime bourbon sweet tea is perfect for summer get-togethers!
Tamarind Iced Tea
Tamarind Iced Tea (or fruit juice!) by the Foodolic is the new lemonade to drink on hot summer days! It is served with extra lime, cilantro, and many ice cubes to make this one irresistible drink to sip!
Honey Hibiscus Iced Tea
This honey lime hibiscus iced tea by OccasionallyEggs.com is the perfect easy summer drink for hot days. Just three ingredients – hibiscus tea, lime, and a little honey.
Tiger Iced Tea with Boba Pearls
This tiger iced tea recipe by KitchenVerve will be your new go-to when you’re craving something super sweet and satisfying with boba pearls! You can easily substitute the milk for coconut milk too! SO GOOD!
Authentic Hong Kong Lemon Tea
Hong Kong-style lemon tea by FeedGrump can be served hot or cold, sweetened or unsweetened. It all depends on your preference.
Frosty Coconut Mint Green Tea
A Frosty Coconut Mint Green iced Tea by StrengthAndSunshine is fresh and lively! With natural coconut water will have you feeling hydrated, healthy, and luxurious!
Orange Vanilla Iced Tea
This orange vanilla iced tea by Hezzi is a refreshing and brightly flavored iced tea that is perfect to enjoy in the summer. It quenches your thirst while giving you a ton of flavor.
There are SO many delicious and refreshing ways to make cold teas! I had a hard time choosing only a few to add to this blog post!
We’ve covered some of the best iced teas and herbal teas for summer that will keep you refreshed and hydrated during the hot months. You can literally use any tea to make iced tea! From Earl Grey to mint tea with fresh mint leaves (or lemon zest!), you can brew any tea to be iced and refreshing!
Remember to experiment with different teas and brewing methods to find your perfect iced tea. And don’t forget to add some fresh fruit or herbs to your pitcher for an extra burst of flavor. So, grab a glass and enjoy the refreshing taste of iced tea this summer! What better way to spend the summer than outside with some good friends and family members and your favorite beverages?
What is your favorite sweet iced tea (or cup of hot tea!) to sip during the hot days of summer? Let me know in the comments below!
