Great Summertime Iced Tea Recipes to Try This Year
Easy iced tea recipes for summer, from classic sweet tea to hibiscus, cranberry, and ginger green tea, plus tips on how much tea to use.
Updated · 3 min read
Iced tea is a refreshing, low-calorie alternative to sugary sodas, and it's easy to make at home in dozens of flavors. Here's a handful of easy recipes to get you through summer, plus tips on how much tea to use.
A Quick History
Iced tea as we know it took off at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, popularized by tea vendor Richard Blechynden, who started serving his tea cold to beat the summer heat. It's been a staple of American summers ever since, and versions of cold-brewed and bottled tea have since spread worldwide.
Iced Tea Recipes
Hibiscus Iced Tea
Ingredients: 50 g dried hibiscus flowers, 1 liter water, sugar or sweetener to taste.
Bring the water to a boil, add the hibiscus, and let it steep. Strain, sweeten to taste, chill for about an hour, and serve over ice.
Cranberry Iced Tea
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups cranberry juice, 2 1/2 cups lemon soda, 1 1/2 cups water, 2 black tea bags, ice.
Steep the tea bags in hot water, then let cool. Combine with the cranberry juice and lemon soda, chill, and serve over ice with lemon slices if you like.
Ginger Green Iced Tea
Ingredients: 1/4 oz green tea leaves, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 3/4 cup ginger syrup, 1/4 cup pomegranate juice, mint and lemon slices to garnish.
Steep the green tea in hot water for about 5 minutes, then strain. Add the lemon juice, ginger syrup, and pomegranate juice, along with 8 cups of cold water. Chill overnight, then serve over ice, garnished with mint and pomegranate seeds.
Quick ginger syrup: simmer chopped fresh ginger with equal parts sugar and water until dissolved, cool, then strain and refrigerate — it keeps for a few weeks.
Watermelon Black Iced Tea
Ingredients: 2 black tea bags, 1 lemon, 1 lime, 1/2 watermelon, a few mint leaves, honey or agave to taste.
Cold-steep the tea bags in water for an hour. Crush the watermelon and add it to the tea along with lemon and lime juice, mint, and sweetener. Serve over ice.
Classic Sweet Tea (Makes About 1 Gallon)
Ingredients: 8 black tea bags, 1 cup granulated sugar, ice, mint or lemon slices (optional).
Steep the tea bags in 4 cups of just-boiled water for 5 minutes. Remove the bags, stir in the sugar until dissolved, then add 3 more quarts of cold water. Refrigerate at least 4 hours (overnight is better) and serve over ice.
How Many Tea Bags Do You Need for a Gallon?
A standard tea bag holds about 2–3 grams of tea, and it takes roughly 28 grams of tea to make a gallon — so plan on 9–14 tea bags per gallon, depending on how strong you like it. For cold brewing, one tea bag per 16 oz of water is a good starting ratio.
FAQ
How long does homemade iced tea last in the fridge?
Homemade iced tea is best within 3–5 days when refrigerated in a covered container.
Can I make iced tea without sugar?
Yes — brew it the same way and sweeten with stevia, agave, or leave it unsweetened.
What's the best tea for iced tea?
Black tea is the traditional choice for its bold flavor, but green tea, hibiscus, and rooibos all make excellent iced teas too.
The Bottom Line
Iced tea is one of the easiest warm-weather drinks to make at home, and it's endlessly customizable with fruit, herbs, and different tea bases. Start with a strong brew, chill it properly, and adjust sweetness to taste.
For more cold tea ideas, check out our guides to Thai iced tea, wild berry hibiscus tea, and iced chai tea latte.