14 Refreshing Iced Teas

May 01, 2008
Quentin Bacon
Our iced tea recipes mix fresh ingredients with the Southern classic for a tall glass of relaxation.
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Chamomile-Strawberry-Orange Cold-Brewed Tea

Photo: Iain Bagwell Styling: Claire Spollen
Chamomile-Strawberry-Orange Cold-Brewed Tea Recipe

Fruit adds sweetness to this refreshing drink. If you wish, substitute raspberries for the strawberries, or drop in a sprig of lemon verbena to boost the aromatic citrus.

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Pomegranate and Lime Iced Tea

Photo: James Baigrie
Pomegranate and Lime Iced Tea Recipe
Keep cool and pom on. Beat the heat with this seriously chill iced tea.

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Classic Sweet Tea

Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
Classic Sweet Tea Recipe
We love this recipe because it's got strong tea flavor without being bitter, and it's sweet but not cloying.
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Lemonade Iced Tea

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Harget
Lemonade Iced Tea Recipe
This refreshing drink combines two summer favorites—lemonade and iced tea. Turn this into a cocktail by adding bourbon or spiced dark rum.

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Mint Tea

Howard L. Puckett
Mint Tea Recipe
Finish a casual back-porch dinner party with mint tea, served chilled. Fresh spearmint and sugar add just the right punch to the green tea. Pair with a menu inspired by food from Morocco or the West Indies.

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Lemon Verbena Iced Tea

Becky Luigart-Stayner
Lemon Verbena Iced Tea Recipe
Add an herbal flair to your favorite sweet tea with verbena leaves, which lend a potent lemon flavor to any drink. Cook sugar and water first to supersaturate the mixture. Then add to boiled verbena leaves and let chill overnight to marry the flavors. Pour tea into glasses first, and then top with the sugar syrup. Garnish with mint.
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Peach Iced Tea

Peach Iced Tea Recipe
Combine freshly brewed or store-bought tea with canned peach nectar, sugar, and lime juice for a sweet summer afternoon drink with just a hint of tart flavor. This beverage keeps well, so make a big batch and store some in the fridge for thirsty drop-in visitors.

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Marian's Iced Tea

Marian's Iced Tea Recipe
Just because the Kentucky Derby is over doesn't mean that a Southern classic has to be sent to the pasture for the rest of the season. This tea holds all the tasty secrets of the mint julep–mint and bourbon–and adds fresh lemon, lime, and sweetened tea to create a summer-ready drink for the adults in your circle.

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Mock Tea Sangría

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Scott Martin
Mock Tea Sangría Recipe
Finally, a sangría that even the kiddos can enjoy. Grape juice, lemon, lime, orange soft drink, and puréed raspberries give this ruby-red drink its great flavor.
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Watermelon and Basil Iced Tea

Photo: James Baigrie
Watermelon and Basil Iced Tea Recipe
Obviously, we’re into infusing your tea with fresh, in-season fruits. Watermelon wedges add a light sweetness and make for a gorgeous presentation.

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Hibiscus Tea Punch

Hibiscus Tea Punch Recipe
Accent the floral flavor of the hibiscus tea with sparkling apple cider. This cool drink fits perfectly at the family picnic or an afternoon poolside with friends.

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Iced Hibiscus Sweet Tea

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell
Iced Hibiscus Sweet Tea Recipe
Offer beautiful, ruby red Iced Hibiscus Sweet Tea as a refreshing alternative to regular iced tea.
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Blackberry Iced Tea

Blackberry Iced Tea Recipe
Make this sweet, plum-hued beverage year-round by using fresh or frozen blackberries. Crush sugared blackberries with a wooden spoon, then mix with mint and baking soda. Combine with tea and let stand for an hour before straining. Add water, and chill before serving.

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Sparkling Cranberry Tea Cocktails

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Cindy Barr; Leigh Ann Ross
Sparkling Cranberry Tea Cocktails Recipe
Serve an adults-only tea, flavored with orange liqueur, for neighborhood happy hour gatherings. This recipe is a great make-ahead option. Simply brew the tea and mix with cranberry juice, vodka, and liqueur; then chill. Add ginger ale just before serving to give it a refreshing fizzy sensation.

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Iced Mint Tea

Randy Mayor; Cindy Barr
Iced Mint Tea Recipe
To infuse the tea with the most mint flavor, refrigerate with the mint sprigs. But if you prefer a lighter mint taste, let the sprigs steep for 5 minutes, then remove before chilling. Traditional mint tea tends to be very sweet, so feel free to tailor the amount of sugar to your taste.
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Sunset Palmer

Thomas J. Story
Sunset Palmer Recipe
This gentler version of the classic Arnold Palmer features lemongrass, lemon verbena, lemon balm, and lemon zest.

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Minty Iced Green Tea

Quentin Bacon
Minty Iced Green Tea Recipe
Fresh mint leaves and green tea make this iced tea a summer standout. Sweeten with honey or agave if you desire.
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