Iced tea
Chilled tea served over ice, sometimes sweetened or flavored with fruit
Iced tea is tea that has been cooled and served with ice, often sweetened or mixed with fruit flavors. It is enjoyed in many countries, with each place offering its own versions, from sweet tea in the southern United States to lemon-infused styles in Canada and herbal blends in China. Iced tea is a common refreshment, especially in warm weather.
- Iced tea is served cold, often with sugar or fruit flavors
- Sweet tea is especially popular in the southern United States
- China makes iced tea from black, green, oolong, and herbal teas
- Bottled iced tea was first mass-produced in Switzerland in 1983
- Tereré is an iced mate tea enjoyed in parts of South America
What is Iced tea?
Iced tea is a cold beverage made by brewing tea leaves and chilling the liquid before serving it over ice. Sugar or syrup is often added, but some people prefer it unsweetened. Fruit flavors like lemon or peach are common, and herbal teas can also be prepared this way. The drink is usually clear and light to dark brown, depending on the type of tea used. It is refreshing and can be found in homemade, bottled, or canned forms.
Where does Iced tea come from?
The idea of drinking tea cold dates back at least to the early 19th century, with written accounts from Naples in the 1820s. Printed recipes for iced tea began to appear in American cookbooks in the 1870s. The drink became more widely known in the United States in the late 19th century, moving from a novelty to a popular refreshment. Its popularity increased rapidly after being showcased at a major American exposition in the early 20th century.
How is Iced tea made?
To make iced tea, tea leaves or tea bags are steeped in hot water to create a strong brew. Once the tea is ready, it is cooled and poured over ice. Some methods use the sun to slowly infuse the tea in water, while others chill the tea in a refrigerator. Sweeteners and fruit juices, such as lemon, can be added before serving. Bottled and canned versions are also widely available.
How and when is Iced tea eaten?
Iced tea is usually served in a glass with plenty of ice, sometimes garnished with a slice of lemon or other fruit. It is a popular drink at meals, especially lunch and dinner, and is also enjoyed as a cooling refreshment between meals. In some countries, it is sold by street vendors or in cafes. The drink can be paired with a wide range of foods, from light snacks to full meals.
Kinds of Iced tea
Different regions have developed their own takes on iced tea. In the southern United States, sweet tea is made with lots of sugar. Canada favors lemon-sweetened versions. In China, both black and green teas are used, and herbal blends with cooling properties are popular in summer. Indonesia offers sweet iced tea and versions with lemongrass or local citrus. In South America, tereré is an iced mate tea. The United States also has the 'half-and-half', a mix of iced tea and lemonade.
What Iced tea means
Iced tea is deeply woven into daily life in many countries, especially in the United States, where it accounts for most tea consumed. In Vietnam, strong iced tea is a staple of street culture. Bottled iced tea was first produced on a large scale in Switzerland in the 1980s. The drink is available in many flavors and is often associated with warm weather and social gatherings.
Questions people ask about Iced tea
What is iced tea made of?
Iced tea is made by brewing tea leaves in water, then cooling the tea and serving it over ice. It is often sweetened with sugar or syrup and may include fruit flavors like lemon or peach.
Where did iced tea originate?
The practice of drinking cold tea was mentioned in Naples in the early 1800s, but iced tea became popular in the United States in the late 19th century, with recipes appearing in American cookbooks from the 1870s.
Are there different types of iced tea?
Yes, iced tea varies by region. The United States has sweet tea and 'half-and-half' with lemonade, China uses different tea types and herbs, Indonesia adds lemongrass or citrus, and South America has tereré, an iced mate tea.
Is iced tea always sweetened?
No, iced tea can be served sweetened or unsweetened. Some regions, like the southern United States and Canada, prefer it sweet, while others may serve it plain or with just a hint of fruit.
How is iced tea usually served?
Iced tea is typically poured into a glass filled with ice and may be garnished with lemon or other fruit. It is enjoyed at meals or as a refreshing drink on its own.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Iced tea", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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