Finally made a mango iced tea that beats store bought and actually saves you money. Super simple too – just need tea bags and fresh mango plus few basics you probably got in your kitchen already
This mango iced tea surprised everyone at my BBQ last weekend. Even my picky nephew loved it. Sweet, tangy and refreshing – perfect summer drink without all that added sugar. Costs way less than fancy coffee shops charge
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Struggled for years trying to make flavored iced tea that doesn’t taste weak or artificial. This mango iced tea solves that problem completely. Uses real mangoes and black tea – way better than those syrup based drinks most places serve
Made this last month for family gathering and ended up making three more pitchers. Everyone kept asking what my secret was. Told them it’s just fresh ingredients and proper steeping time
Can add honey, switch tea types, even throw in some herbs. Great for party planning since you can make huge batch ahead of time
Ingredients
Tea Base
- 6 black tea bags (English Breakfast works great) – gives strong flavor that holds up to ice
- 6 cups hot water – proper brewing temp important
- 2 tbsp honey (optional) – adjust to taste
- Ice – lots of it
Mango Mix
- 2 ripe mangoes – fresh not frozen if possible
- 1/4 cup sugar – balances tartness
- 1/2 cup water – helps blend
- 1 lime juiced – brightens flavor
How to Make Mango Iced Tea
- Steep tea bags in hot water for 5-6 minutes. Don’t oversteep or gets bitter. Remove bags and let cool bit
- Peel mangoes and chop roughly. Toss in blender with sugar, water and lime juice. Blend until completely smooth – should look like thick syrup
- Mix cooled tea with mango puree. Taste and add honey if needed. Pour over ice immediately
- Store in pitcher in fridge up to 4 days – but doubt it’ll last that long
Variations
- Tropical blend – add pineapple chunks with mango
- Mint mango – throw fresh mint leaves in blender
- Green tea version – swap black tea for green
- Spicy mango – add pinch cayenne or ginger
- Half sweetened – add honey only to serving glass not whole pitcher
- Pearl boost – add boba pearls for texture
Wrap Up
Made this mango iced tea for neighborhood pool party and neighbors still text asking for recipe. Such simple drink but brings out best summer vibes. My mom tried adding few mint leaves from her garden – took it to whole new level
Love how this recipe breaks away from boring regular iced tea without getting too complicated. You can totally make it your own – switch up fruits, try different teas, adjust sweetness. Way better than those mint mojito iced tea or lemon vanilla iced tea powder mixes
Started experimenting with other fruits too – pineapple ginger iced tea turned out amazing. But this mango version still my go-to for backyard hangouts
FAQ (People Also Ask)
How long does mango iced tea last in the fridge?
About 3-4 days max. Keep in sealed container. Taste test after day 2 – sometimes gets bit stronger
Can I use frozen mango for iced tea?
Sure can. Defrost first and drain extra water. Fresh tastes better but frozen works fine
Can I make mango iced tea without sugar?
Yep try honey, agave or stevia instead. Or skip sweetener completely – ripe mangoes pretty sweet already
How do I prevent my iced tea from getting watery?
Brew tea double strength. Or freeze some into ice cubes – keeps drink strong as ice melts
What tea works best for mango iced tea?
Black tea holds up best. Green tea nice for lighter version. Earl Grey adds interesting twist
Can I make mango iced tea ahead of time?
Definitely. Mix everything except ice. Store in fridge up to 2 days. Add ice when serving
How do I make mango iced tea less sweet?
Cut sugar in half or skip completely. Add more lime juice or brew stronger tea to balance mango sweetness