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Down in the Deep South, we know how to make iced tea. My Mama’s iced mint tea recipe includes tea bags and fresh mint sweetened with lemon juice, orange juice concentrate, and sugar. It’s deliciously refreshing.
You are gonna love Mama’s iced mint tea recipe. Now, when you live in the South, you get used to some strange weather. Somedays it feels like the third level of Hades and some days are entirely tolerable with a light breeze that keeps the bugs at bay long enough to sit and enjoy the sunshine. On days like this, a glass of iced tea is a must. However, a glass of fancy iced tea like Mama’s sweet mint tea is even better.
This is one of my mother’s favorite recipes that I first posted in 2008, the year I started blogging. At the time, I had grown up seeing a jug of what we dubbed “swamp water” in the fridge on a regular basis and always turned my nose up at it. I was still not a fan even when I posted this recipe some 10 years ago. But, if we’re lucky, childhood aversions eventually give way to adult wisdom. Yep, I am not too proud to say that I have changed my ways and unsurprisingly, I now enjoy this delicious fruity mint tea almost as much as my mother does.
So with that in mind, I’m sharing the homemade iced tea recipe again with updated photos to show you firsthand just how pretty it is. Get your taste buds ready for a delicious iced drink sure to chase away the drudgery in the midst of a super hot summer’s day.
To make this easy iced mint tea recipe, you need 5 ingredients: tea bags, lemon juice, orange juice concentrate, sugar, and fresh mint. You simply steep the tea and fresh mint and add it to a pitcher alongside our list of sweeteners. Then stir, refrigerate, and serve it to your family and friends. This lemon mint iced tea is so easy to make and tastes so good!
Recipe Ingredients
- Green tea bags or black tea bags
- Fresh or bottled lemon juice
- Frozen orange juice concentrate
- Sugar
- Fresh mint leaves (or dried mint leaves in a pinch)
How To Make Iced Mint Tea
In a pot, bring to a boil the tea bags, mint, and enough water to cover it well.
Remove from heat and let this steep, covered, for 30 minutes.
Put approximately 1 quart of cold water in a 1-gallon pitcher and add orange juice concentrate, lemon juice, and sugar (if using regular tea bags).
Remove mint leaves and tea bags from the tea and add this to the pitcher. Add enough water to make one gallon, stir, and refrigerate.
Enjoy at will! P.S It somehow tastes even better in a darling cup.
I love these mason jar cups and these cups with the cute straw and lid!
Storage
Mint iced tea keeps well in the fridge for up to a week.
Recipe Notes
For lime mint tea, substitute the lemon juice for bottled or fresh lime juice or you can always shake in a little Tru Lime!
Recipe FAQs
Do I just use a regular tea bag?
My mother has a brilliant hack that she uses to cut the calories. Instead of using a regular teabag and sugar, she uses Southern Breeze tea that is presweetened (no calories). If you do the same, use 4 family-size tea bags and omit the sugar. This is for one gallon of tea, just as in the recipe above. A family-size tea bag equals two regular-size tea bags.
You may also like these summer drink recipes:
Old-Fashioned Lemonade
Tropical Pink Mocktail (Fun Fruity Summer Drink)
Watermelonade Recipe
Sugar-Free Peach Lemonade (2 Ingredients Only)
Vintage Iced Tea Punch
How to Make Cold Brew at Home
Iced Mint Tea
My Mama's iced mint tea recipe includes tea bags and fresh mint sweetened with lemon juice, orange juice concentrate, and sugar.
Prep Time: 40 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: iced tea, tea
Servings: 4
Calories: 1kcal
Ingredients
- 8 regular-size tea bags or 4 family-size tea bags*
- 8 tbsp bottled lemon juice or juice of 4 fresh lemons
- 12 ounces frozen pulp-free orange juice concentrate
- 2 cups sugar
- handful of fresh mint or 2 tablespoons dried mint
Instructions
In a pot, bring to a boil the tea bags, mint, and enough water to cover them well. Remove from the heat and let them steep, covered, for 30 minutes.
8 regular-size tea bags or 4 family-size tea bags*, handful of fresh mint or 2 tablespoons dried mint
Put approx. 1 quart of water in a one-gallon pitcher and add the orange juice concentrate, lemon juice, and sugar.
8 tbsp bottled lemon juice or juice of 4 fresh lemons, 12 ounces frozen pulp-free orange juice concentrate, 2 cups sugar
Remove mint leaves and tea bags from the tea and add this to the pitcher. Add enough water to make one gallon, stir, and refrigerate.
Notes
*If using Southern Breeze tea: Use 4 family-size tea bags and omit the sugar. This is for one gallon of tea, just as in the recipe above. A family-size tea bag equals two regular-size tea bags.
Nutrition
Calories: 1kcal
Silence is a source of great strength.
~Tzu
FAQs
It pairs well with many flavors, such as chocolate, green or black tea, fruits such as berries and melon, and other botanicals such as chamomile or lavender. Some of our favorite pairings for peppermint are white chocolate and matcha!
Can you cold brew fresh mint tea? ›
But brewing your tea in chilled water releases less of those bitter tannins resulting in a fresh, clean infusion. Using a jug or pitcher, add the Peppermint tea and pour over the room temperature water. Place in the fridge for 1 – 2 hours (all depends on how strong you like your tea).
Can mint tea be drank cold? ›
In India, herbal mixtures containing peppermint treat indigestion, coughs, colds, and other ailments. Mint tea can be prepared using spearmint, peppermint, or orange mint leaves. It shouldn't steep for more than 10 minutes, or it could start to develop a bitter taste. You can serve it cold or hot.
Is mint tea better with fresh or dried mint? ›
There's just no comparing the flavor of brewing from fresh leaves vs. dried. Fresh mint tea tastes bright and clean, while the flavor of dried mint can be rather bitter and dull when brewed too long. Fresh mint tea also works wonderfully either as a hot or cold infusion.
What can I add to mint tea to make it taste better? ›
Lime or lemon (optional): If you like a hint of citrus in your tea, you're welcome to add in a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice. Sweetener (optional): If you like your tea sweetened, add in a squeeze of honey or whatever sweetener you prefer.
What makes mint tea taste better? ›
Add sugar cane, brown sugar or honey to the water while it is still warm. You can also use simple sugar or alternative sugar syrups. Squeeze the juice of two fresh limes into the tea.
Can you drink too much fresh mint tea? ›
There is no limit on the amount of peppermint tea you can enjoy a day, however when consumed in excess can cause side effects like diarreah and drowsiness. We suggest 4-5 cups to be the maximum daily to get the most benefits and avoid any side effects.
Is fresh mint tea the same as peppermint tea? ›
Mint tea is a herbal tea made by infusing mint leaves in hot water. Mint tea made with peppermint leaves is called peppermint tea, and mint tea made with spearmint is called spearmint tea. There also exist teas that infuse peppermint and spearmint leaves.
What happens if you steep mint tea too long? ›
Steep Time: 2 Minutes
Steeping longer than 1-2 minutes could turn your tea bitter.
Who should not drink mint tea? ›
DO NOT take peppermint or drink peppermint tea if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD -- a condition where stomach acids back up into the esophagus), or hiatal hernia. Peppermint can relax the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus, allowing stomach acids to flow back into the esophagus.
For instance, it may cause heartburn or an allergic reaction in some individuals. Also, despite its soothing effects on the digestive system, too much mint tea might exacerbate symptoms in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
What is the difference between mint, peppermint, and spearmint? ›
Peppermint is a hybrid of spearmint and water mint. Its flavor is similar to spearmint, but it packs a more potent punch with spicy notes (hence the pepper in the name). Peppermint contains several chemical compounds that define its flavor and aroma, including menthol, menthone, and eucalyptol.
Should I put honey or sugar in mint tea? ›
Honey or sugar? Many Mint Tea Lovers take their Mint Tea without sugar… However, adding sugar is a practice appreciated by many, especially in Moroccan Mint Tea. At Maison NANA1807, we serve Mint Tea without sugar… and we recommend the addition of natural sugar for those who like to taste Sweet Mint Tea.
Does mint tea burn fat? ›
Mint Tea for Weight Loss? Mint tea has traditionally been used as a weight loss aid. This is because it helps to boost the metabolism and increase fat burning. Mint tea is also thought to reduce hunger and cravings, making it easier to stick to a healthy diet.
Is mint tea just mint leaves? ›
Fresh mint leaves give this mint tea recipe an alluring herbal aroma and flavor. Since this tea is made with an herb instead of tea leaves, it is considered an herbal tea or tisane and does not contain any caffeine. You can enjoy a cup of mint tea before bed without worries about it keeping you up.
What Flavours work well with mint? ›
Pairing Mint Flavors
- Cucumber.
- Lemon.
- Lime.
- Lime & Rum (Mojito)
- Tropical Fruits (Papaya, Mango)
- Watermelon.
Lemon. Always opt for fresh lemon slices, these will help to lift the fragrance and the flavour of your tea and is better consumed earlier in the day for a boost to your mood and alertness. Green tea. For a caffeine boost, if caffeine doesn't upset your stomach, infuse peppermint and green tea together.
What does mint leaf go well with? ›
With its refreshing and fragrant flavor, mint is a welcome addition to both sweet and savory dishes. We love it smashed with fava beans and pecorino to top toast, whizzed into a minty pesto as a perfect accompaniment to lamb, and tossed into a cooling watermelon salad with lime for a summer dessert.
What fruit is good with mint tea? ›
The strong minty flavour of peppermint tea might be a little intense for certain diners. To help achieve a more delicate flavour balance, try adding apple to the mix. The sweet and cooling fruit with its sour and bitter hints makes for a good complement to peppermint tea.
