On hot days there is almost nothing nicer than a glass of ice-cold iced tea. But did you know you can very easily make iced tea yourself with herbs and spices? Not only does it add more flavor and variety, you also control how much sugar you add - or not.
With ingredients like cinnamon, star anise, ginger, hibiscus and mint you can create surprising combinations that are perfect for lunch, a BBQ or a summer afternoon in the garden.
In this blog we share 5 refreshing recipes for homemade iced tea with herbs and spices.
Why make iced tea yourself?
Many ready-made iced teas contain quite a bit of sugar and often very little real tea or herbs. Making iced tea yourself is not only simple, it also gives you much more control over flavor and composition.
In addition, herbs and spices give a natural flavor boost to your drink. Think of fresh mint, warming cinnamon or the citrusy taste of lemongrass.
Some herbs have also been used for centuries in hot drinks and herbal teas. Ginger and mint are, for example, popular in refreshing infusions, while hibiscus is known for its fruity flavor and deep red color.
1. Hibiscus & Cinnamon Iced Tea
A fresh, slightly fruity iced tea with a warm undertone of cinnamon.
Ingredients
- 1 liter water
- 2 tablespoons hibiscus
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 slices orange
- Honey or agave to taste
- Ice cubes
Preparation
Bring the water to a boil and add the hibiscus and cinnamon. Let steep for 10 minutes. Add the orange and let cool completely. Serve with ice cubes.
Tip: Put loose herbs like fennel seed or hibiscus in a tea infuser or spice bag for a clear iced tea without loose bits.
2. Ginger & Lemongrass Iced Tea
Fresh, spicy and perfect for hot days or at a BBQ.
Ingredients
- 1 liter water
- 3 cm fresh ginger
- 1 stalk lemongrass
- 2 bags green tea
- Juice of 1 lime
- Honey to taste
Preparation
Bruise the lemongrass and slice the ginger. Let both simmer in the water for 10 minutes. Then add the green tea and let steep for a few minutes. Cool and serve with lime and ice.
Tip: Put loose herbs like ginger, rosemary, fennel seed or hibiscus in a tea infuser or spice bag for a clear iced tea without loose bits.
3. Star Anise & Peach Green Iced Tea
A soft, summery combination with a subtle spicy flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 liter green tea
- 1 star anise
- 1 ripe peach
- Fresh mint
- Ice cubes
Preparation
Let the star anise simmer along while brewing the tea. Add peach slices and cool in the refrigerator. Serve with fresh mint.
Tip: Put loose herbs like ginger, rosemary, fennel seed or hibiscus in a tea infuser or spice bag for a clear iced tea without loose bits.
4. Rosemary & Grapefruit Iced Tea
A slightly more mature flavor that works perfectly as a non-alcoholic summer drink.
Ingredients
- 1 liter green tea
- 1 sprig rosemary or 1/2 tbsp dried rosemary
- 1 grapefruit
- Honey to taste
Preparation
Add the rosemary to warm tea and let steep. Squeeze half of the grapefruit and add the rest in wedges. Serve ice-cold.
Tip: Put loose herbs like ginger, rosemary, fennel seed or hibiscus in a tea infuser or spice bag for a clear iced tea without loose bits.
5. Cucumber, Mint & Fennel Iced Tea
Light, fresh and ideal for warm summer days.
Ingredients
- 1 liter white tea
- 1 teaspoon fennel seed
- Half a cucumber
- Fresh mint
Preparation
Let the fennel seed steep briefly in warm tea. Add cucumber slices and mint and chill for at least 2 hours for extra flavor.
Tip: Put loose herbs like ginger, rosemary, fennel seed or hibiscus in a tea infuser or spice bag for a clear iced tea without loose bits.
Which herbs are nice in iced tea?
There are many herbs and spices that work well in homemade iced tea. Popular combinations are:
By combining herbs with fruit such as citrus, strawberry, peach or apple, surprising flavor combinations are created.
Tips for extra flavor
- Use loose tea for a fuller flavor
- Let the iced tea cool slowly for more aroma
- Add sparkling water for a fizzy variant
- Freeze mint or citrus in ice cubes for a nice presentation
- Use honey or agave instead of refined sugar
Experimenting yourself with herbs and spices
The fun thing about making iced tea yourself is that you can vary endlessly. With different herbs, spices and fruit you keep creating new combinations that match the season or the time of day.
Looking for more inspiration with herbs and spices? Then also check out our other recipes and flavor combinations on Natural Spices Blog.
Frequently asked questions about iced tea with herbs
1. Which tea is best for iced tea?
Green tea, black tea and white tea are all suitable. Green tea often gives a fresh taste, while black tea is a bit fuller.
2. Can you make iced tea without sugar?
Yes, certainly. By adding herbs, spices and fruit, the iced tea already gets a lot of natural flavor.
3. Which herbs go well with iced tea?
Mint, ginger, hibiscus, cinnamon, star anise and lemongrass are popular choices.
4. How long does homemade iced tea keep?
Store homemade iced tea for a maximum of 2 to 3 days sealed in the refrigerator.
5. Can you steep herbs directly in cold water?
Yes, especially herbs like mint or cucumber work well as a cold infusion. Spices like cinnamon or star anise usually give more flavor when steeped warm first.
