Too Hot for a Cuppa? Teas That Taste Just as Good Cold

Thanks to the latest heatwave in the UK, even committed tea drinkers are looking at the kettle with less enthusiasm than usual! The good news is that you don’t have to give up tea just because temperatures have soared.

Many people don’t realise that almost any tea can be served chilled, from black and green tea to herbal and fruit infusions. However, some blends are particularly well suited to iced tea, cold brew, tea coolers and even summer punches.

At Cup of Tea, we stock a wide range of loose leaf teas from around the world, including black, green, white and oolong teas alongside fruit, herbal and rooibos infusions. We also have several blends chosen specifically because they work beautifully cold, making them ideal summer teas for warm afternoons, garden parties and relaxed evenings outdoors.

Which teas taste best cold?

Teas with fresh, fruity, floral or citrus flavours tend to work particularly well when chilled. Cooling tea changes how you perceive its flavour, so bright, aromatic blends can become even more refreshing over ice.

Fruit teas are one of the best places to start. Our Rhubarb Cream Fruit Tea combines tangy rhubarb with a smooth, creamy character, while Strawberry Cream Fruit Tea offers a sweeter berry-led option. Both are caffeine-free and work well when you want a chilled drink later in the day.

For tropical flavours, Paradise of Fruits, Pina Colada and Senorita Sandia are all good choices for summer. They bring plenty of fruit character without needing lots of added syrups or flavourings.

If you prefer something fresher, Apple & Mint Fruit Tea gives you a crisp combination that feels particularly well suited to hot weather.

Cold brew teas made for summer

Cold brewing is one of the easiest ways to enjoy loose leaf tea in warm weather. Instead of brewing with hot water and cooling it afterwards, the tea is steeped in cold water in the fridge for several hours.

We stock several blends designed with this method in mind, including Peachy Summer Cold Brew Tea, Strawberry Kiss Cold Brew Tea and Tropical Summer Cold Brew Tea. These are useful if you want a simple introduction to cold brew tea without having to work out which blend is likely to suit the method.

Cold brewing usually produces a softer, smoother drink than traditional hot brewing. It is also convenient. Prepare a jug in the evening and you can have chilled tea ready for the following day.

Do herbal teas work as iced tea?

Yes. Herbal tea can be an excellent choice for summer, particularly blends containing mint, lemongrass, hibiscus, ginger or citrus.

Sweet Nana Mint and Peppermint Herbal Tea are natural choices when you want a cool, clean flavour. Mint is especially refreshing over ice and works well on its own or with a slice of lemon.

For something brighter, Cool Lemon Herbal Tea and Ginger Lemon Herbal Tea combine citrus notes with aromatic herbs and spices. Tulsi Mango Ginger brings a fruitier twist, while Hibiscus Blossoms produce a tart, colourful infusion that looks as refreshing as it tastes.

These blends are also useful if you are searching for caffeine-free summer teas.

Green and white teas for warmer weather

Cold tea doesn’t have to mean fruit or herbal tea.

Green and white teas can make elegant, refreshing summer drinks because of their lighter flavour profiles. Our Exotic Mango Dream, made with flavoured white and green tea, brings tropical fruit notes to a more delicate tea base.

Melon Pineapple Green Tea is another good option for warm weather, while Cherry Orchard Green Tea offers a fruitier alternative without the intensity of a traditional black tea.

When making iced green tea, avoid over-steeping. Using more leaves and a shorter infusion is usually better than leaving the tea brewing for too long, which can make it taste bitter.

How do you make loose leaf iced tea?

You don’t need any specialist equipment to make iced tea at home.

Brew your tea according to its usual instructions, but make it slightly stronger if you plan to pour it straight over plenty of ice. Once it has steeped, remove the leaves or strain the infusion.

You can then let it cool before refrigerating it or pour the stronger brew directly over a glass filled with ice.

Fresh mint, lemon, orange, berries or slices of peach can all work well as garnishes, but taste the tea first. A good loose leaf blend should already have enough flavour to stand on its own.

If your iced tea tastes weak, use more tea rather than steeping it for much longer. Over-steeping some black and green teas can create bitterness rather than extra flavour.

Summer tea beyond the standard iced brew

One of the best things about cold tea is how versatile it can be.

You can use strong brewed tea as the base for a tea cooler, combine it with sparkling water, add fresh fruit for a summer punch or serve it in a large jug at a garden party. Traditional black tea with lemon and a little sugar is still a classic, but there is no reason to stop there.

Fruit, herbal, green and white teas all give you different flavour combinations to experiment with, whether you prefer something sharp and citrusy, soft and fruity or crisp and minty.

Find your favourite summer teas

Hot tea will always have its place, whatever the weather. But summer is a good opportunity to discover how different your favourite tea can taste when served chilled.

At Cup of Tea, we’ve been sourcing quality orthodox, handpicked loose leaf teas since 2002. Our range includes teas specifically suited to iced tea and cold brewing, alongside fruit teas, herbal infusions, green tea, black tea, rooibos, white tea and much more.

So, if it really is too hot for a cuppa, don’t put the tea away. Brew it differently, add ice and discover a whole new side to tea this summer.

Posted by Simon Chapple
10th August 2026

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