Iced tea is one of those naturally dairy-free joys in life. It’s a refreshing burst of energy on a warm day that’s far healthier than your average cold drink. Cate O’Malley shared her basic iced tea recipe (from Real Simple) and some flavor ideas with us. Over the years, we’ve discovered some more great add-ins, so we’re updating this post with all eight flavor options, plus a bonus idea. It’s seemed like good timing since tomorrow is National Iced Tea Day!
Basic Iced Tea with 8 Refreshing Flavor Options
Enjoy one of these options for flavoring your homemade iced tea (recipe below) or the ice!
Ginger & Honey Flavor Booster
Add 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger and 1/3 cup honey while the tea is still hot. Strain, if desired.
Pomegranate Juice & Lime Flavor Booster
Add 2 cups pomegranate juice, 3 limes (thinly sliced), and 1/4 cup sugar to the warm or cooled iced tea.
Peach & Mint Flavor Booster
Add 4 ripe peaches (cut into 1/2-inch pieces) and 1 small bunch fresh mint sprigs to the warm or cooled tea. Sweeten with sugar, if desired.
Watermelon & Basil Flavor Booster
Add 1/8 of a medium size watermelon (cut into small triangles) and 1 small bunch fresh basil sprigs to the warm or cooled tea. Sweeten with sugar, if desired.
Citrus Berry Flavor Booster
Wrap thin orange or lemon peel strips around berries, skewer them, and insert into the iced tea glasses.
Mojito Flavor Booster
Muddle lime wedges with mint leaves and a little sugar in a glass. Add ice, iced tea, and stir.
Arnold Palmer Ice
Freeze lemonade into cubes and use those cubes in place of plain ice with your iced tea. It’s more tea-forward than a classic Arnold Palmer, but adds a nice sweet lemon flavor.
Plant-Based Ice
Freeze edible flowers or herbs (like mint or basil leaves) with water in ice cube trays. Use this infused ice in place of the ice in your iced tea. You can alternatively freeze the floral or herb ice in a metal ring mold, which can be added to a punch bowl. If using edible flowers, make sure they are free of pesticides and fertilizers. Remove the stems and leaves, and rinse the blooms before using. Or look for prepared edible flowers in the produce section of your supermarket.
Bonus Ice Option for Purists
If you don’t like diluted tea, free some of your prepared iced tea into cubes. Use the iced tea cubes instead of plain ice with your iced tea.
Special Diet Notes: Basic Iced Tea with Flavor Options
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, vegetarian, and paleo-friendly.
- 8 cups boiling water
- 8 black tea or green tea bags
- Flavor booster (optional; see post above)
- Ice, to serve (see post above)
- Pour the boiling water into a heat-resistant pitcher. Add the tea bags and let steep for 10 minutes.
- Remove the bags, squeeze the liquid from them, and discard.
- Let the tea cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
- Add any of the flavor boosters, if desired.
- Fill glasses with ice. Pour the cooled tea over ice to serve.
More Iced Tea-Inspired Recipes
Rhubarb Tea
Sweet Tea Ice Cream
Vegan Iced Tea Cupcakes
