Nothing beats a tall glass of iced tea on a sweltering day, but not all teas deliver that crisp, refreshing magic you crave. We’ve brewed, sipped, and tested 17 popular teas to discover which ones transform into the ultimate iced tea—and our top pick truly surprised us. From classic black teas that hold their own over ice to fruity blends that taste like summer in a glass, these selections will upgrade your sipping game. If you’re ready to elevate your afternoons with the perfect chill, these 17 teas will show you exactly what your iced tea has been missing.
17. Green Tea
Fresh and vibrant, green tea transforms into a revitalizing summer drink when poured over ice. The natural grassy notes become more pronounced when chilled, creating a clean, crisp flavor profile that wakes up your senses.
Cold-brewing brings out green tea’s delicate sweetness while minimizing any bitter notes. Sencha offers a classic vegetal taste, while Longjing provides a more nutty character and Gyokuro delivers a sweeter, more umami-rich experience.
For an extra refreshing twist, try adding sliced cucumber or a splash of lemon juice to complement the natural brightness of this antioxidant powerhouse.
16. Hibiscus Tea
Vibrantly crimson and tantalizingly tart, hibiscus iced tea delivers a visual and flavor punch that’s impossible to ignore. The dried calyxes of hibiscus flowers steep into a jewel-toned beverage that’s as beautiful as it is refreshing.
Naturally caffeine-free with a bold cranberry-like tartness, this herbal infusion has been enjoyed for centuries across cultures from Egypt to Mexico. The high vitamin C content and cooling properties make it particularly appealing during hot weather.
A touch of sweetener balances the natural acidity, while mint or ginger adds complementary dimension. For a special occasion, mix with sparkling water and frozen berries for a non-alcoholic punch that’s as festive as it is delicious.
15. Jasmine Green Tea
Enchantingly fragrant, jasmine green tea creates an iced beverage that’s both refreshing and aromatic, like a summer garden in liquid form. The natural marriage of delicate green tea with jasmine blossoms results in a harmonious flavor that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
Quality jasmine tea is scented multiple times with fresh flowers, creating layers of floral essence that unfurl when chilled. The light body of the green tea base allows the jasmine notes to shine without becoming perfumey or overwhelming.
Served in a clear glass to appreciate its pale hue, this elegant refresher needs no sweetener to shine. For special occasions, freeze edible flowers into ice cubes for a presentation that will impress even the most discerning guests.
14. White Tea
Delicate and nuanced, white tea creates an iced beverage of unparalleled subtlety that true tea connoisseurs treasure. The minimal processing preserves the natural sweetness of the tea leaves, resulting in a refreshingly light profile with no astringency.
Silver Needle, with its downy white buds, produces a pale golden liquor with honeysuckle notes that become more pronounced when chilled. White Peony offers slightly more body with similar floral character and a hint of fresh hay sweetness.
Cold-brewing is essential to capture the delicate flavors without extracting any bitterness. The natural antioxidants remain intact, making this not just a pleasure to drink but also beneficial for your health. Try infusing with fresh peach or watermelon for a summer treat.
13. Earl Grey
Fragrant and distinctive, Earl Grey creates an iced tea experience that’s unmistakable from the first aromatic sip. The signature bergamot oil infusion—derived from citrus grown primarily in Italy—provides a sophisticated citrus note that blooms when chilled.
Traditional black tea base provides structure and depth that supports the floral-citrus notes without overwhelming them. The natural oils create a slight sheen on the surface and impart a rounded mouthfeel that’s uniquely satisfying.
For a modern twist, try adding a splash of lavender syrup or a squeeze of fresh lemon. London Fog fans will love an iced version with vanilla and a touch of milk for a sophisticated summer treat that bridges the gap between tea and dessert.
12. Rooibos
Naturally sweet and nutty, rooibos creates a caffeine-free iced tea that can be enjoyed any time of day without affecting your sleep. The rich amber-red color makes for a visually striking beverage that looks as good as it tastes.
Harvested from South African red bush plants, this herbal infusion offers a smooth, rounded mouthfeel with hints of vanilla and caramel that become more pronounced when chilled. Unlike true teas, rooibos contains no tannins, resulting in zero bitterness even with extended steeping.
Rich in antioxidants and minerals, this thirst-quencher doubles as a health tonic. Try it with orange slices and cinnamon for a dessert-like treat, or with fresh mint for a refreshing twist on this caffeine-free alternative.
11. Mint Tea
Naturally cooling and invigorating, mint tea transforms into liquid refreshment when served over ice. The menthol compounds in peppermint and spearmint varieties create that signature cooling sensation that feels like air conditioning for your insides.
Garden-fresh mint leaves steeped in hot water then chilled produce a vibrant, clean flavor that needs no sweetener. The aromatics alone make this a perfect post-meal digestive or midday pick-me-up.
For an elevated experience, muddle fresh mint with a touch of honey before brewing, or freeze mint leaves directly in ice cubes for a drink that gets more flavorful as the ice melts.
10. Chai
Aromatic and warming even when cold, iced chai delivers a symphony of spices that dance across your palate with each refreshing sip. The traditional blend of cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves creates a complex flavor profile that stands up beautifully to ice.
Traditionally brewed with milk for a creamy texture, iced chai offers a more substantial mouthfeel than most tea varieties. The natural sweetness of cinnamon and star anise balances the peppery notes of ginger and cardamom.
For a modern twist, try blending with ice for a chai frappe or adding a shot of espresso for a dirty chai that delivers both spice and caffeine kick. The versatility of this ancient blend makes it perfect for customization to your exact taste preferences.
9. Darjeeling
Elegant and sophisticated, Darjeeling transforms into a remarkably refined iced tea with distinctive muscatel grape notes that truly shine when chilled. This prized Indian tea offers complexity typically reserved for fine wines, with floral aromatics that dance above the glass.
First flush Darjeeling creates the most delicate iced tea, with light body and pronounced brightness. Second flush varieties provide more robust muscatel character and amber color that’s visually stunning over ice.
Best enjoyed without milk or sweeteners that would mask its nuanced flavor profile. The natural sweetness and gentle astringency make this the perfect accompaniment to light desserts or as a palate cleanser between courses at summer dinner parties.
8. Oolong Tea
Complex and intriguing, oolong tea creates an iced beverage that’s neither as bold as black tea nor as delicate as green. Its partial oxidation results in a unique flavor profile that unfolds in layers when chilled.
Cold-brewing brings out oolong’s natural floral notes and honeyed undertones without any bitterness. Tieguanyin variety offers orchid-like aromatics and a smooth finish that lingers pleasantly on the palate.
The natural complexity means this tea needs no additives to shine, though a twist of orange peel complements its character beautifully. With less caffeine than black tea but more body than green, oolong makes the perfect afternoon refreshment that won’t disrupt your sleep cycle.
7. Peach Iced Tea
Sweet, fragrant, and utterly nostalgic, peach iced tea embodies summer in the South with every amber-gold sip. The natural honeyed sweetness of ripe peaches infuses perfectly into black tea, creating a drink that’s refreshing without being cloying.
Fresh peach slices muddled and steeped with tea leaves release their sunny essence and create a naturally sweetened brew. The fruit’s subtle floral notes become more pronounced when chilled, adding complexity to this seemingly simple beverage.
A true crowd-pleaser at picnics and porch gatherings, this classic can be elevated with a sprig of fresh basil or thyme. For authentic Southern style, serve in a mason jar with plenty of ice and a peach slice garnish.
6. Raspberry Iced Tea
Vibrant and tangy, raspberry iced tea strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tart in each ruby-red sip. The natural acidity of raspberries cuts through summer heat while adding a gorgeous jewel tone to your glass.
Fresh raspberries muddled directly into the tea release their vivid color and bright flavor. Black tea provides a sturdy foundation that complements the berries’ boldness, while green tea offers a lighter alternative that allows the fruit to take center stage.
Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, this refreshing brew is as nutritious as it is delicious. Try adding a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme for an unexpected herbal note that elevates this summer classic to gourmet status.
5. Mango Iced Tea
Bursting with tropical sweetness, mango iced tea captures summer’s essence in every golden-hued sip. The natural sugars in ripe mangoes create a perfectly balanced sweetness that complements both black and green tea bases without overwhelming them.
Fresh mango puree stirred into chilled tea creates a slightly thicker, more luxurious mouthfeel than typical iced teas. The fruit’s distinctive floral notes become more pronounced when cold, creating an aromatic experience before you even take your first sip.
This vibrant refresher pairs beautifully with spicy foods or stands alone as a backyard barbecue showstopper. For an adult version, a splash of white rum transforms this tropical treat into a sophisticated summer cocktail.
4. Ginger Tea
Bold and invigorating, ginger tea delivers a spicy punch that intensifies when chilled. The natural heat from ginger creates an interesting contrast with the cold temperature, making each sip a delightful temperature paradox.
Fresh ginger root steeped until potent then served over ice creates a drink that’s simultaneously warming and cooling. The natural digestive properties make this an excellent choice after heavy meals or for settling an upset stomach.
Adding honey and lemon creates a trifecta of flavors that dance on your tongue. For an extra dimension, try incorporating a cinnamon stick during brewing or a splash of apple juice for sweetness.
3. Blueberry Iced Tea
Sweet yet tangy, blueberry iced tea offers a gorgeous purple-blue hue that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. The natural sweetness of blueberries eliminates the need for added sugar, making this a healthier option for those watching their intake.
Fresh or frozen blueberries muddled and mixed with black or green tea base create layers of flavor that unfold with each sip. The subtle tartness balances perfectly with the tea’s natural astringency.
Rich in antioxidants from both the berries and tea leaves, this colorful concoction is as good for your body as it is for your Instagram feed. Try it with a sprig of thyme or basil for an unexpected herbal twist.
2. Coconut Iced Tea
Creamy and exotic, coconut iced tea transports your taste buds straight to a beachside paradise. The subtle sweetness of coconut milk or water blends harmoniously with tea, creating a silky texture unlike any other iced tea variation.
Black tea provides a robust base that stands up to coconut’s richness, while green tea offers a lighter alternative that lets the tropical notes shine through. A hint of vanilla extract amplifies the natural sweetness without added sugar.
Perfect for poolside sipping or pairing with spicy foods, this tropical treat cools and refreshes while providing a momentary escape. Garnish with toasted coconut flakes for an extra dimension of flavor and visual appeal.
1. Black Tea
Robust and reliable, black tea creates the foundation for what most Americans think of when they hear “iced tea.” Its full-bodied character stands up beautifully to ice without losing flavor, making it the undisputed champion of cold brewing.
English Breakfast provides malty depth, Ceylon offers bright citrus notes, and Assam contributes rich caramel undertones. The natural tannins create structure that carries sweeteners, citrus, or milk equally well, making black tea the most versatile base for endless variations.
Whether served Southern-style with sugar, English-style with lemon, or simply straight up, black tea’s familiar comfort and remarkable adaptability explain why it has remained the gold standard for iced tea across generations.
Leave a comment