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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
Is Mint Tea Good for You? There is some limited evidence that mint tea may help with some symptoms: Stomach and digestion: Peppermint tea may relieve an upset stomach. And in some cases, it has been seen to relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
What mixes well with mint tea? ›
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).
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.
When should you 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.
Is mint tea an anti inflammatory? ›
Peppermint has proven antibacterial, antiviral, and inflammation-reducing compounds. It can help relieve stress, soothe congestion or irritation related to allergies, boost your immune system to combat colds and the flu, and more! Plus, the aromatic properties of peppermint tea are highly refreshing and invigorating.
What can I add to mint tea to make it taste better? ›
If you would like to add some citrus, add in a squeeze or fresh lemon or lime. Serve hot or iced. Pour the tea into a mug and serve hot, or pour over a glass full of ice to serve iced. Garnish with extra mint and lemon/lime wedges, if desired.
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.
Why drink peppermint tea at night? ›
Proven to help you nod off and sleep for longer, peppermint tea is another great option for a pre-bedtime drink. The essential oils in peppermint tea can help relax your muscles, setting the scene for a peaceful night of sleep. Rich in antioxidants, there are lots of other benefits of peppermint tea too.
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.
Steep Time: 2 Minutes
Steeping longer than 1-2 minutes could turn your tea bitter.
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.
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.
Should you crush mint leaves for tea? ›
Pour the tea into a cup, and sweeten if desired; enjoy your herbal tea. The other way is to use dried crushed mint leaves which will give you a stronger flavor of mint. You can put the dried mint directly into a teapot and pour hot water onto the dried crushed leaves.
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 it safe to drink mint tea everyday? ›
While mint tea is generally considered safe for most people, excessive consumption may potentially lead to some negative effects. For instance, it may cause heartburn or an allergic reaction in some individuals.
What does mint tea do to your body? ›
The refreshing and stimulating effect of drinking mint tea is also believed to help to boost mental alertness and concentration. The scent of peppermint tea stimulates the limbic system, making you more alert – a perfectly delicious way to boost your focus and ace your test.
Is mint tea good for the liver? ›
Peppermint Tea
These help in the digestive process, especially if you have a hefty meal at night. Food stagnation may be a sign of overeating, which can cause disturbed sleep. Peppermint helps overcome that. As a tea, it aids the digestive process by helping your liver with its detoxification and digestive functions.
