The secret to exceptional iced tea isn't the recipe — it's the tea you start with. The right leaves make the difference between a flat, forgettable glass and something you'll want to drink every single day. Here's our definitive guide to the best teas for iced tea, broken down by type and brewing method.

Black Tea: The Classic Choice

Black tea is the backbone of most iced tea traditions. It's bold, tannic, and holds up beautifully to ice, sweetener, and citrus. Here are the best varieties:

Assam

Assam black tea from northeastern India is our top pick for classic iced tea. It brews a deep amber colour with a malty, robust flavour that doesn't get lost under ice. It's the base for most commercial iced tea blends — and for good reason.

Best for: Classic sweet tea, lemon iced tea, peach iced tea

Ceylon

Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka is lighter and more citrusy than Assam. It produces a bright, clear brew with a clean finish — ideal if you prefer a less heavy iced tea.

Best for: Lemon iced tea, unsweetened iced tea, fruit-infused blends

English Breakfast Blend

A blend of Assam, Ceylon, and Kenyan teas, English Breakfast is widely available and consistently good. It brews a strong, full-bodied cup that stands up to milk (for hot tea) or ice (for cold).

Best for: Everyday iced tea, sweet tea, milk tea

Green Tea: Light and Refreshing

Green tea makes a lighter, more delicate iced tea with grassy, vegetal notes. It's lower in caffeine than black tea and pairs beautifully with citrus and mint.

Sencha

Japanese Sencha is the most popular green tea for iced tea. It brews a pale yellow-green colour with a fresh, slightly grassy flavour. Always use water cooled to 75–80°C to avoid bitterness.

Best for: Green tea lemonade, mint green tea, unsweetened iced tea

Gunpowder Green

Gunpowder green tea has a slightly smoky, bold flavour that holds up better to ice than most green teas. The tightly rolled pellets unfurl slowly, releasing flavour gradually.

Best for: Moroccan-style mint tea, bold green iced tea

Jasmine Green Tea

Jasmine-scented green tea adds a floral, aromatic dimension to iced tea. It's naturally sweet-smelling and pairs well with honey and lemon.

Best for: Floral iced tea, honey jasmine iced tea, summer entertaining

Herbal Tea: Caffeine-Free and Flavourful

Herbal teas (technically tisanes) are caffeine-free and come in an enormous range of flavours. They're perfect for evening iced tea or for those avoiding caffeine.

Hibiscus

Hibiscus is our favourite herbal tea for iced tea. It brews a stunning deep ruby-red colour with a tart, cranberry-like flavour. It's naturally high in antioxidants and pairs beautifully with raspberries, strawberries, and citrus.

Best for: Hibiscus iced tea, raspberry hibiscus blend, agua fresca-style drinks

Rooibos

South African rooibos brews a warm, reddish-brown colour with a naturally sweet, slightly nutty flavour. It's caffeine-free, low in tannins, and works beautifully as a base for fruity iced tea blends.

Best for: Vanilla rooibos iced tea, peach rooibos, chai-spiced iced tea

Peppermint

Peppermint tea makes a cooling, intensely refreshing iced tea. It's naturally sweet and pairs well with lemon and a touch of honey.

Best for: Mint iced tea, lemon mint blend, post-dinner refresher

Tea Bags vs. Loose-Leaf Tea

Both work well for iced tea, but there are trade-offs:

Tea bags are convenient, consistent, and widely available. For everyday iced tea, quality tea bags (look for whole-leaf bags, not dust-filled sachets) are perfectly fine.

Loose-leaf tea generally offers better flavour and more variety. The leaves have more room to expand and release their full flavour profile. If you're making iced tea for guests or want to explore premium blends, loose-leaf is worth the extra effort.

How Much Tea to Use

A common mistake is under-brewing iced tea. Because you're diluting with ice, you need to brew a stronger concentrate:

• Tea bags: 4–6 bags per litre of water
• Loose-leaf: 2–3 tablespoons per litre of water

For cold brew, use the same ratios but steep for 8–12 hours in cold water.

Our Top Pick for Beginners

If you're just starting out, grab a box of quality Assam or Ceylon tea bags and brew a classic hot-steep iced tea. It's forgiving, delicious, and will give you a solid foundation before you start experimenting with green teas and herbal blends.

The best iced tea starts with the best tea. Choose wisely, brew carefully, and enjoy every glass.