Quick Brew Mint Iced Tea

If you ask me, mint iced tea is the perfect drink for those warm afternoons.

This refreshing summer favorite brings together fresh mint leaves and classic black tea in the simplest way. Cold water helps the flavors blend naturally, creating a drink that’s crisp and cooling.

It’s sweetened just enough to let the mint shine through, and the long steeping time means the tea develops a smooth, clear taste. A handful of ice cubes and an extra mint sprig make it even more refreshing.

It’s an easy-to-make drink that’s both cooling and comforting, perfect for sipping on the porch or serving at backyard gatherings.

What Kind of Mint Tea Should I Use?

For mint iced tea, you’ve got several good options when it comes to choosing your tea bags. Pure peppermint tea bags will give you the most refreshing and cooling flavor, while spearmint tea offers a slightly sweeter, more gentle mint taste. If you’re shopping at the grocery store, you might also find mixed mint teas that combine both varieties – these work great too and can add some nice complexity to your drink. Just make sure to check that you’re using plain mint tea bags rather than a mint-flavored black or green tea blend, unless you specifically want that caffeinated kick. When steeping, don’t leave the bags in too long or you might end up with a bitter taste – about 5 minutes should do the trick.

Options for Substitutions

This refreshing mint tea recipe is pretty flexible – here’s what you can swap if needed:

• Agave nectar: You can easily replace agave with honey, maple syrup, or simple syrup. If using regular sugar, dissolve it in the hot water first. Start with the same amount and adjust to taste.
• Mint tea bags: Regular black tea bags work fine – just add 4-5 fresh mint sprigs during steeping. You can also use green tea bags for a lighter flavor. If using loose tea, use about 2 tablespoons.
• Fresh mint sprigs: While fresh mint gives the best flavor, you can use dried mint leaves in a pinch – just use less since dried herbs are more concentrated. A thin slice of cucumber can make a nice garnish alternative.
• Lemon: Lime works great too, or you can use 2-3 tablespoons of bottled lemon juice. Orange slices can add a different but pleasant citrus twist.
• Ice cubes: To avoid diluting your tea, try making ice cubes from the same tea mixture ahead of time. You can also use frozen fruit pieces for an extra flavor boost.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Brewing

The biggest mistake when making mint iced tea is using boiling water, which can make your tea taste bitter – instead, let the water cool for about 1-2 minutes after boiling before adding your tea bags. Another common error is over-steeping the tea bags; 3-5 minutes is perfect, as leaving them in longer can release too many tannins and create an unpleasantly strong taste. To get the most refreshing results, avoid adding ice cubes directly to hot tea, which will dilute your drink – instead, let the brewed tea cool to room temperature first, then refrigerate until completely chilled. For the best minty flavor, gently muddle or crush your fresh mint leaves before adding them as garnish, which releases their natural oils and gives your tea that perfect summer kick.

What to Serve With Mint Iced Tea?

This refreshing mint iced tea pairs wonderfully with light summer meals and snacks! For a casual afternoon get-together, serve it alongside cucumber sandwiches, fresh fruit platters, or lemon cookies that complement the tea’s minty-citrus notes. When hosting a backyard BBQ, this drink goes great with grilled chicken, fish tacos, or Mediterranean dishes like hummus and pita. I also love serving it with light desserts like lemon bars or berry scones for an afternoon tea party feel.

Storage Instructions

Keep Cool: Your mint iced tea will stay fresh and tasty in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Just keep it in a sealed pitcher or container – glass works best to prevent any flavor transfer. The mint flavor actually gets a bit stronger over time, which is pretty nice!

Make Ahead: This tea is perfect for making ahead! You can brew a big batch and keep it ready to go in the fridge. If you’re planning to serve it later, I’d suggest waiting to add the fresh mint garnish and lemon slices until just before serving to keep them looking fresh.

Serving Tips: When you’re ready to serve your stored tea, give it a quick stir as some settling might occur. Add fresh ice cubes and maybe a new slice of lemon to make it look and taste as good as freshly made. If it gets a bit strong after storing, you can always add a splash of cold water to adjust the taste.

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	10-15 minutes
Total Time	25-35 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 200-250
• Protein: 0-1 g
• Fat: 0-1 g
• Carbohydrates: 50-60 g

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup agave nectar
• 8 mint tea bags
• 1 lemon, sliced thinly
• A handful of fresh mint sprigs for garnish
• 7 cups hot water
• 2 1/2 cups chilled water
• About 12 ice cubes

Step 1: Initial Setup and Agave Addition

Start by pouring 1/4 cup of agave syrup into a large heat-resistant container or pitcher.

This will be the base that sweetens your tea naturally.

Step 2: Prepare and Steep the Tea

Unwrap 8 mint tea bags and wrap them around a chopstick, ensuring that the strings are secure.

Place the chopstick on top of the container so that the tea bags dangle into the pitcher.

Boil 7 cups of water and carefully pour it over the suspended tea bags, filling the container evenly.

Allow the tea to steep for 5-6 minutes to release all the minty flavors.

Step 3: Cooling the Brew

Once steeping is complete, remove and discard the tea bags from the container.

Let the tea mixture cool for about 10 minutes to ensure it’s not too hot before proceeding with the next step.

Step 4: Dilute and Mix the Tea

Add 2 1/2 cups of cold water to the mixture to slightly dilute the mint tea, making it more refreshing.

Follow this by adding at least a dozen ice cubes into the container and stirring well to ensure the agave syrup is evenly distributed throughout the tea.

Step 5: Enhance with Lemon and Chill

Add lemon slices to the tea mixture to infuse a zesty flavor.

Then, seal the container with a lid and place it in the refrigerator to chill and allow the flavors to meld overnight.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

When you’re ready to serve, fill tall glasses with ice and pour the chilled mint tea over the ice.

Garnish each glass with fresh mint and additional lemon slices for an extra refreshing touch.

Enjoy your homemade mint iced tea!