Make Your Own Iced Tea
🍹 Making your own iced tea is simple and gives you plenty of freedom to create your favourite flavours. You can choose the tea, decide how strong it should be and serve it plain or with fruit and fresh herbs.
For classic iced tea, the tea is first brewed as usual with hot water. After the recommended steeping time, let it cool or pour it over plenty of ice cubes. This allows the aromas to develop fully and gives the tea a rich flavour even when served cold.
An exception is blends specially developed for cold preparation, such as our Cold Brew Peach Tea. This tea can simply be prepared with room-temperature water.
Which teas are suitable for iced tea?
🫖 Many different types of tea can be used to make homemade iced tea. Fruit teas, green teas, herbal teas, rooibos and black teas are particularly suitable. The best choice depends on whether you prefer a fruity, refreshing, mild or full-bodied iced tea.
Fruity iced tea
🍓 Fruit teas are especially popular because they keep their fruity flavour even after cooling. Depending on the blend, they can taste sweet, slightly tangy or exotically fruity.
Some excellent choices include:
- Power Fruit Tea with apple, lemongrass and goji berries
- Hibiscus Flower Tea with its deep red colour and pleasantly tart flavour
- Fruit tea blends with berries, mango, pineapple or citrus fruits
Brew the fruit tea according to the preparation instructions and allow it to cool completely. Serve it with ice cubes, fresh berries or a slice of lemon for an extra refreshing drink.
Iced tea with green or herbal tea
🍃 Green tea and herbal tea create a lighter style of iced tea. Mint, lemongrass and citrus notes are especially refreshing on warm days.
Green teas from the Azores, such as Hysson or Encosta de Bruma, also make an excellent base. Green tea should not be brewed with boiling water. Depending on the variety, use water at around 70 to 85 °C and steep for two to four minutes.
After cooling, serve with fresh mint, a slice of lime or a few ice cubes. Avoid over-steeping to keep the tea smooth and balanced.
Mild iced tea with rooibos
🌿 Rooibos Tea makes a naturally mild and smooth iced tea. As it is naturally caffeine-free, it is also suitable for the evening or for anyone avoiding caffeine.
Rooibos can be brewed with boiling water and tolerates a longer steeping time. Once cooled, enjoy it on its own or with orange, lemon or fresh berries.
Classic iced tea with black tea
☕ Black tea is the traditional base for iced tea. Its full-bodied flavour remains enjoyable even after cooling. Both plain and flavoured black teas work well.
Good options include:
Brew the black tea with hot water and follow the recommended steeping time. Steeping it for too long may result in a more bitter flavour once chilled.
How to prepare iced tea
🍋 These simple steps will help you prepare delicious homemade iced tea:
- Choose a tea that tastes great both hot and cold.
- Brew it using the recommended water temperature and steeping time.
- Use slightly more tea for a stronger flavour, but do not extend the steeping time unnecessarily.
- Allow the tea to cool or pour it directly over plenty of ice.
- Serve with lemon, lime, berries or fresh mint if desired.
If you pour freshly brewed tea directly over ice cubes, prepare it slightly stronger, as the melting ice will naturally dilute it.
Preparing iced tea in advance
🧊 Homemade iced tea can easily be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Once cooled, transfer it to a clean bottle or carafe with a lid.
Fresh fruit and herbs are best added just before serving to keep them looking and tasting their best. Store homemade iced tea chilled and enjoy it while fresh.
Discover new iced tea ideas
Try different teas and create your own favourite iced tea. Fruity blends, classic black tea, mild rooibos or refreshing green tea all offer unique flavours to explore.
Our range includes many loose leaf teas that are perfect for making delicious homemade iced tea.