Which Teas are Best for Iced Tea?

One of the best things about making iced tea at home is how many different flavours you can explore. You’re not limited to the sweet, fruity versions you might find in a bottle or café.

Here are a few places to start.

Fruit infusions: bright, fruity and refreshing

Fruit infusions are an easy starting point if you enjoy vibrant colour and juicy, fruity flavours. Many are delicious served cold without needing much else.

Try a berry-forward blend for a deep, fruity brew, such as Queen of Berries or Wildberry Bramble or choose something with citrus or tropical notes for a brighter finish, like our Summer Punch. You can add fresh berries, orange slices or a squeeze of lemon, but a good blend can be just as satisfying on its own.

Explore the Tea by Birdy Iced Tea & Fruit Infusions collection for blends made with iced tea in mind. 

Black tea: full-bodied, versatile, with a small hit of caffeine 

Black tea makes a classic iced tea with a deeper, more robust flavour. It pairs particularly well with berries, lemon, orange, and other fruit, and can be served unsweetened or lightly sweetened to taste. We’ve just introduced two to our range that are both worth checking out. Try our Strawberry Fields Black Ice Tea or our Clementine Orange Black Ice Tea. Alternatively, our classic French Earl Grey or Breakfast Blend hold their own as beautiful iced teas, and also pair beautifully with fresh fruit added. 

If you enjoy a stronger cup, try brewing a black tea concentrate and pouring it over plenty of ice. You can also experiment with iced chai like our Zanzibar Chai or Choc Chilli Chai for a spiced alternative.

Green tea or white tea: fresh and lighter

Green tea can make a refreshing iced brew, especially if you enjoy delicate, grassy or vegetal notes. Mint is another natural partner, adding a cooling finish. Icy Breeze Green Tea is a perfect example of a green tea that’s made to be iced. Our Buddha’s Tears / Jasmine Pearl White Tea is another delicate blend that works beautifully when served chilled on a hot summer’s day.

Pay attention to the water temperature when brewing green tea with hot water. Water that's too hot or an overly long steep can bring out bitterness, which becomes particularly noticeable in a chilled drink.

Herbal and botanical blends: more than just fruit

Herbal infusions open up a whole world of flavour beyond berries and citrus. Peppermint, hibiscus, ginger and floral botanicals can all make interesting iced drinks, depending on the blend. Lemongrass and Ginger, and Hibiscus Tea are two of those special teas that work as well over ice as they do served warm. 

For a caffeine-free option, look for a blend made entirely from herbs, flowers, spices or fruit rather than tea leaves. If caffeine matters to you, check the ingredients: black, green and white teas naturally contain caffeine, and some blends combine tea leaves with botanicals.

Want to experiment beyond dedicated iced tea blends? Explore our wider tea range and discover which teas you enjoy served cold.

 

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Tea by Birdy is run by two busy, premenopausal mums in their 40s, so you won’t be surprised to hear that we use AI to help write some of the content on our website and in some of our social media posts.

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