How to Make Iced Tea with Fresh Herbs

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You can make iced tea even better by adding fresh herbs. When it’s hot and you yearn for a cold beverage, fresh herbs can add that little something that makes it extra special.

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Sweet iced tea in summertime feels like a little ritual of Southern comfort. A tall glass filled with tea, plenty of ice, and just enough sugar to make it sweet is perfect for a hot afternoon.

Add a slice of lemon or a sprig of fresh mint, and suddenly an ordinary moment feels special.

When I was a little girl, I recall craving iced tea over ice cubes. It was so refreshing and good! I always wanted a tall glass of iced tea to accompany our meals.

Classic Fresh Herb Infusion (Serves 4)

• Ingredients: 1-2 cups fresh herbs (mint, lemon balm, lemon verbena, or basil), 4 cups water, sweetener to taste (honey/sugar).
• Instructions: Bring water to a boil. Pour over washed, slightly bruised herbs in a pot. Cover and steep for 15-20 minutes. Strain, add sweetener, let cool, and serve over ice.
• Tip: For a stronger flavor, use more herbs rather than steeping longer to avoid bitterness.

Using fresh herbs for iced tea is a refreshing addition to a tea beverage.

Recipes for Herbal Iced Tea:

1. Mint Lemon Iced Tea

Cool, crisp, and perfect for warm afternoons.

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 1 black tea bag or 2 teaspoons loose black tea (optional)
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 2–3 tablespoons honey or sugar (optional)
• Ice

Instructions

1. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
2. Remove from heat and add tea bag (if using). Steep 3–5 minutes, then remove.
3. Add mint leaves and lemon slices. Cover and steep 10–15 minutes.
4. Stir in honey while warm if you want sweetness.
5. Strain into a pitcher and chill for 1–2 hours.
6. Serve over ice with extra mint and lemon slices.

2. Lavender Chamomile Iced Tea

Light, floral, and relaxing.

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 2 tablespoons dried chamomile flowers
• 1 teaspoon dried culinary lavender
• 2 tablespoons honey
• Ice

Instructions

1. Boil the water and pour it over the chamomile and lavender.
2. Cover and steep for 8–10 minutes.
3. Strain well.
4. Stir in honey while warm.
5. Cool completely and refrigerate.
6. Serve over ice.

Use lavender sparingly—too much can taste soapy rather than floral.

3. Basil Peach Iced Tea

Sweet herbal tea with a fruity twist.

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 2 ripe peaches, sliced
• 1 green tea bag
• 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
• Ice

Instructions

1. Bring water to a boil, then remove from heat.
2. Add a green tea bag and steep for 3 minutes. Remove.
3. Add basil and peach slices. Cover and steep for 15 minutes.
4. Lightly mash peaches with a spoon to release flavor.
5. Strain, sweeten if desired, and chill.
6. Serve over ice with peach slices.

4. Rosemary Citrus Iced Tea

Bright and slightly woodsy.

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 2 small rosemary sprigs
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Ice

Instructions

1. Boil water and add rosemary sprigs.
2. Simmer 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
3. Add citrus slices and steep 10 minutes.
4. Strain and sweeten with honey.
5. Refrigerate until cold and pour over ice.

5. Herbal Garden Blend Iced Tea

Great for using what’s growing in your garden.

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• Small handful each of fresh mint, lemon balm, and thyme
• 1 tablespoon honey or agave
• Ice

Instructions

1. Bring water to a boil.
2. Pour over herbs and cover.
3. Steep 10–12 minutes.
4. Strain, sweeten, and chill.
5. Serve over ice.

Tip: For a stronger iced tea flavor, make it slightly more concentrated since ice will dilute it. Fresh herbs generally give the brightest flavor, but dried herbs work too. But use about one-third the amount.

FAQs:

Best way to make fresh iced tea with fresh herbs:

Steep a large handful of fresh herbs in 4 cups of boiling water for 15-20 minutes. Then sweeten (if preferred) and chill.

Can you brew herbal tea in cold water?

It’s best to use a smaller amount of boiling water for steeping and then add cold water after it’s steeped.

What is a natural sweetener for iced tea?

Stevia (also known as sugar plant) doesn’t make a delicious tea on its own, but it’s a great sweetener for any tea.

If you’re trying to cut back on sugar, try growing stevia. You can purchase it in stores. Store-bought stevia powder is white, and homemade dried stevia is green and has a slight aftertaste.

To grow, stevia prefers cooler summer temps in a sunny location. You can grow stevia in garden beds or containers. Start with seedlings. Or start seeds 8-10 weeks before the last frost date.

Tips for Iced Tea Gardens

• Containers: Mints should be kept in pots to prevent them from taking over the garden.
• Harvesting: Harvest in the morning to ensure the best flavor
• Making Tea: For the best iced tea, use a large amount of fresh leaves, steep until the water is cold, and sweeten to taste.

Why Grow Herbs to Make Iced Tea?

Iced tea and iced coffee hit the right spot in the heat of summer, though I enjoy them year-round. Making iced tea with fresh herbs is a different take and flavor from iced tea alone.

Best Herbs to Grow for Iced Tea

• Anise hyssop (licorice flavor)
• Basil
• Chamomile
• Lavender
• Lemon balm
• Lemon verbena
• Mint (Peppermint, Spearmint, Apple Mint)
• Pineapple sage
• Rosemary
• Scented geranium

Best Fruit for Ice Cubes

To make it even more special, add fruity ice cubes. Just pour water over fruit in an ice cube tray and freeze. You can also use a mini-muffin pan. The best fruits to use for ice cubes are:

These cubes are also great to use for fruit-infused water, which tastes very refreshing during the summertime months.

Best Herbs for Ice Cubes

• Mint
• Lemon balm
• Pineapple sage
• Lemon verbena

Great Tray for Freezing Fruit and Herbs

These trays are great for freezing fruit and herbs.

WARNING:

Be aware of any chemicals that may have been applied to your herbs. Even organic products can be toxic.

If unsure, it’s better to be safe. Harvest only untreated herbs for tea.