Best Tea For Iced Tea: Refreshing Choices For Summer Sips

Assam black tea could be your jam if you want a robust, malty English breakfast blend. Strong and malty, Assam tea is a robust tea that tastes great even cold. Dark and powerful tea leaves provide a deep amber-colored brew with a crisp finish and a flavor full of tannins.

In addition, the tea's inherent sweetness helps counteract the harshness that black tea can occasionally have. This results in a tasty and pleasant iced tea that can be enjoyed either way, with or without added sugar or lemon.

Ceylon black tea is perfect if you like a less malty and stronger flavor profile. The taste of this tea is subtle. While the tea has a similar crisp finish to Assam, it is not as strong and is readily overpowered by other flavors.

It is still a decent substitute for an iced tea with a mild taste. However, the origin of the tea leaves can affect the flavor of your iced tea. Some tea leaves contain qualities that complement the flavors of added substances, such as fruity, spicy, or chocolaty.

If you use Darjeeling tea, you might end up with one of the best iced black tea you have ever tasted. Darjeeling tea is known for its light and floral flavor profile.

Unlike other black teas, it is less robust and more delicate, with a subtle sweetness and sometimes a hint of a grape-like flavor and floral notes, creating a sophisticated and elegant taste. If you are making one at home, brew the tea leaves in hot water to extract the flavor.

Earl Grey is one of the most popular teas in the world. The flavor of the tea might vary from one producer to another but its taste is often described as bright, refreshing, and bold.

It is infused with bergamot oil, a citrus fruit hybrid of a bitter orange and a lemon. This oil adds a distinctive floral, citrusy flavor to the black tea base. The resulting tea tends to be smooth and balanced, with notes of citrus, spice, malt, and smoke, making your iced tea aromatic and flavorful. 

Lapsang Souchong is a black tea that stands out for its smoky flavor, which comes from drying the tea leaves over pinewood fires. This process gives the tea a deep, smoky taste, almost like a campfire, with a hint of sweetness and spice.

When used for iced tea, Lapsang Souchong brings a unique, bold flavor. The smokiness adds a rich, layered taste that is perfect for anyone who enjoys something a bit different. It goes well with a squeeze of citrus or a bit of honey to mellow the smoky notes.

Sencha is a type of Japanese green tea known for its fresh, grassy flavor. It is made from the first or second flush of tea leaves, meaning they are picked during the early harvest seasons. These young leaves are steamed, rolled, and dried, which helps to preserve their bright green color and natural flavors.

When brewed, Sencha produces a slightly sweet, vegetal taste with hints of umami, a savory quality hallmark of Japanese cuisine. This tea is ideal for iced tea because its refreshing, crisp notes provide a clean, cooling effect.

Dragon Well or Longjing tea is a Chinese green tea known for its flat, smooth leaves and nutty flavor. When you brew it, the tea turns a light greenish-yellow and has a mild, slightly sweet taste with a touch of roasted chestnut. It is pan-roasted, which gives it a unique toasty flavor.

This tea is great for iced tea because it is light and refreshing without being too grassy or strong. Its gentle sweetness and smooth taste make it perfect for sipping on a hot day.

If you are wondering what tea is best for iced tea with floral notes, jasmine green tea might be it. The tea is scented with jasmine flowers, giving it a delicate and aromatic floral taste. It is made by layering jasmine blossoms over green tea leaves, allowing the tea to absorb the flowers' fragrance.

This process is repeated multiple times for a more intense jasmine flavor. Jasmine green tea is a perfect choice if you enjoy floral notes in your iced tea without overwhelming the natural taste of green tea.

Gunpowder Green Tea gets its name from the way the leaves are rolled into tiny, tight balls that look like gunpowder grains. This rolling process helps keep the tea fresh and flavorful and makes it less likely to lose its green color and fresh, grassy flavor.

Gunpowder Green Tea has a strong, smoky flavor with slight tanginess. This smokiness comes from roasting the leaves at high temperatures. Even though it has bold flavors, it has a refreshing and slightly sweet note.

Another variety of Japanese green tea is called hojicha. Hojicha is roasted at a dry heat, giving it a nutty, toasted flavor, in contrast to other green teas, which are steamed or pan-fired. In addition to lowering the caffeine and astringency of the tea, roasting leaves it softer and smoother than other green teas like sencha or dragon well.

Hojicha, when brewed, smells earthy and toasty with hints of caramel and roasted almonds. This flavor profile and its ability to withstand being chilled and diluted with ice make it a great option for iced tea.

The minty herb peppermint is utilized in many goods, such as drinks, toothpaste, and candies. It is a great option for iced tea because of its powerful, reviving flavor and cooling effect when added to drinks.

Peppermint is naturally cooling due to its menthol content, which makes it particularly refreshing on hot days. In addition to being caffeine-free, peppermint tea is a fantastic choice if you want to stay away from stimulants. It goes great with lime or lemon for an additional zesty kick.

Chamomile Tea is a popular herbal tea made from the dried flowers of the chamomile plant. It is known for its gentle, soothing qualities and is often used to promote relaxation and aid sleep. The tea has a light, floral taste with a hint of apple-like sweetness.

When made into iced tea, it is refreshing and calming, ideal for unwinding during the hot summer days. If you prefer a sweet iced tea, add a drizzle of honey or a splash of lemon for extra flavor.

Hibiscus tea is made from the dried petals of the hibiscus flower. It has a vibrant red color and a tart, tangy flavor, often compared to cranberry juice. When brewed, hibiscus tea has a refreshing and slightly fruity taste that can be enjoyed both hot and cold.

For iced tea, hibiscus is particularly popular because of its bright color and potent flavor, which holds up well even when diluted with ice. It is also rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, adding a health boost to your beverage.

Rooibos tea is a red herbal tea that comes from the fermented leaves of the Aspalathus linearis shrub, a plant native to South Africa. Many people enjoy it as an alternative to green or black tea. It is also caffeine-free, making it a great choice for any time of day.

Rooibos has a smooth, slightly sweet taste with hints of caramel and nuts. Some varieties may have earthy or woodsy notes, adding a distinct flavor to your iced teas. And the best part? A rooibos iced tea might aid digestion.

Lemongrass is a fragrant herb used in various culinary and medicinal applications. It has a lemony taste with a hint of ginger, making it an excellent choice for adding a zesty and invigorating touch to iced tea.

Its flavor is less sharp than lemon, providing a more subtle yet aromatic citrus note. To elevate your drink, add sugar syrup and calamansi juice to cut through the sweetness. The calamansi balances the unpleasant bitter notes, making your iced tea more palatable and crave-able.

Tie Guan Yin, which translates to Iron Goddess of Mercy, is an oolong tea from China. It is made from a unique varietal of the tea plant. This varietal has a peach leaf shape that features a tilted tip and a pink center that is tightly rolled.

Tie Guan Yin has a distinct floral fragrance, often described as orchid-like. This makes it quite aromatic and pleasing. It has a smooth, creamy mouthfeel with subtle sweetness and lightness. It also has occasional hints of fruity or vegetal flavors.

Wuyi Oolong tea, also known as Wuyi Rock Tea, is a variety of oolong tea from the Wuyi Mountains in China. This tea is renowned for its unique, roasty flavor profile derived from the traditional roasting process.

The taste is often described as rich and full-bodied with hints of dried fruit, nuts, and a subtle mineral quality. The complex flavors and aromatic characteristics make it a great choice for iced tea, providing a robust and satisfying drink. The deep, roasted notes of Wuyi Oolong can offer a refreshing contrast to sweeter iced tea recipes.

Milk Oolong is a unique type of oolong tea with a rich, creamy taste. It is made through a process that includes a special rolling technique, which gives the tea a smooth, buttery flavor, almost like adding cream, but without any dairy.

This tea is partially oxidized, placing it in between green and black teas, and has a silky texture. When brewed, it has a golden-yellow color and a refreshing, slightly sweet taste with floral hints. It is a great choice for a luxurious and unique iced tea.

Considered the highest grade white tea in China, White tea might be one of the best tea flavors for iced tea. It has a light flavor, but if you use good quality Silver Needle tea leaves, the tea has floral, fruity, herbaceous, grassy, and hay-like notes.

The tea is also a pale, golden color with a delicate aroma reminiscent of fresh flowers and melon. Its gentle flavor makes it an excellent choice for those who prefer a light and refreshing iced tea that does not overpower the palate.

White Peony tea, also known as Bai Mu Dan, is a delicate and lightly flavored tea with a subtle sweetness. It is made from young tea leaves and buds picked early in the season. The leaves are withered and lightly processed to preserve their natural flavors.

When brewed, White Peony offers a light, slightly floral taste with hints of fruitiness. If you do not have loose tea leaves, you can always use tea bags. It is perfect for iced tea and people who do not enjoy the taste of black tea.

English Breakfast Tea is a classic black tea blend known for its rich, robust flavor and dark, amber color. It typically combines several black teas, such as Assam, Ceylon, and Kenyan, to create a strong and full-bodied brew.

This tea is traditionally enjoyed in the morning with a hearty breakfast but works just as well iced. When brewed and chilled, English Breakfast Tea maintains its bold character, offering a refreshing and invigorating drink. It is enjoyed plain or with milk and sugar, making it versatile for various taste preferences.

Chai is a spiced tea blend from India known for its rich and aromatic flavor. It is made with black tea and a mix of spices, like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, and black pepper. This combination creates a warm, spiced flavor that is comforting.

When used for iced tea, chai offers a refreshing twist on traditional iced tea with its unique blend of spices. Brewed strong and then chilled, chai iced tea can be enjoyed as it is or with a splash of milk or sweetener to enhance its flavor.

Earl Grey Lavender is a delightful twist on the classic Earl Grey tea. While regular Earl Grey features bold black tea with a citrusy bergamot flavor, this version includes dried lavender buds for a touch of floral charm.

This infusion enhances the tea's complexity, creating a soothing and fragrant cup. The lavender complements the citrus notes of the bergamot, adding a subtle sweetness and a calming aroma. This makes for a refined iced tea, perfect for those who enjoy a blend of floral and citrus flavors.

Moroccan Mint tea is a refreshing blend of green tea and fresh mint, traditionally enjoyed in Morocco. The green tea provides a smooth, slightly vegetal base, while the spearmint adds a cooling, invigorating flavor.

This combination creates a light and aromatic iced tea that is refreshing and soothing. Moroccan Mint tea is often sweetened with sugar, which enhances its flavor and complements the minty freshness. It is perfect for hot days or as a revitalizing drink throughout the day.

Perhaps the best tea for homemade iced tea is peach black tea. It combines the rich, bold flavor of black tea with the sweet, fruity essence of peach. The black tea base provides a strong, robust flavor that serves as a perfect backdrop for the peach notes.

This blend typically includes natural peach flavoring or dried peach pieces, which infuse the tea with a sweet, juicy taste. Its vibrant taste makes it a popular choice for a summertime beverage or a sweet, refreshing treat any time of year.