Hey there tea lovers! Today I’m super excited to share my fave mint mojito iced tea recipe that’s been a total game-changer during hot summer days. This isn’t just any regular iced tea – it’s a refreshing combo that brings together the coolness of mint with the classic mojito flavors, minus the alcohol (though I’ll show you how to spike it too!). The mint mojito iced tea recipe I’m sharing today is something I’ve perfected over years of experimenting, and trust me, once you try it, you’ll be making it on repeat.
Why You’ll Love This Mint Mojito Iced Tea Recipe
Making the perfect mint mojito iced tea recipe at home used to be tricky for me. Store-bought versions were either too sweet or didn’t have enough mint flavor. After countless attempts (and some epic fails!), I finally cracked the code.
Last summer, I served this at my sister’s backyard BBQ and even my brother-in-law, who claims he’s “not a tea person,” asked for seconds! What makes this mint mojito iced tea recipe special is how versatile it is. You can make it ahead for parties, adjust the sweetness level, or even create different variations depending on what you have in your fridge.
The best part? Unlike fancy coffee shop versions that’ll cost you $5+, this homemade version costs pennies per glass.
Ingredients for Your Mint Mojito Iced Tea
Here’s everything you’ll need to whip up this refreshing drink:
For the Base Tea:
- 4 black tea bags (any decent quality will work)
- 6 cups filtered water
- 1/4 cup sugar (or honey/agave if you prefer)
- 1 bunch fresh mint leaves (about 1 cup loosely packed)
- 3 limes, juiced (plus extra slices for garnish)
- Ice cubes
The black tea provides a robust base that stands up to the other flavors. If you’re watching caffeine, you can sub with green tea or even decaf black tea.
Fresh mint is absolutely key for this mint mojito iced tea recipe – dried mint just doesn’t give the same bright flavor. I grow mint in my backyard (it spreads like crazy!), but you can easily find it at grocery stores year-round.
For the sweetener, regular sugar works great, but sometimes I use honey for a more complex flavor. If you’re trying to cut calories, a natural sweetener like stevia can work too.
How to Make Mint Mojito Iced Tea
Making this refreshing drink is super easy, just follow these simple steps:
- Boil 4 cups of water in a large pot. Once boiling, remove from heat, add tea bags and let steep for 5 minutes. Don’t steep longer or it’ll get bitter!
- While tea is steeping, take about 3/4 of your mint leaves and muddle them gently in the bottom of a large pitcher. Just press enough to release the oils – don’t pulverize them.
- Add sugar to the hot tea and stir until completely dissolved. This is important – sugar dissolves way better in hot liquid.
- Remove tea bags and pour the hot sweet tea over the muddled mint in your pitcher.
- Add lime juice and stir everything together. Let this mixture cool to room temp (about 30 mins).
- Add 2 more cups of cold water and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but honestly, overnight is even better cuz the flavors really develop.
- When ready to serve, strain the tea to remove mint leaves. Pour over ice, garnish with fresh mint sprigs and lime slices.
The color should be a beautiful amber with a slight green tint from the mint. The aroma will hit you immediately – fresh, cool and slightly citrusy. That’s how you know your mint mojito iced tea recipe turned out perfect!
Tasty Variations of Mint Mojito Iced Tea
One thing I love about this mint mojito iced tea recipe is how easy it is to customize. Here are some of my fave variations:
Fruity Mint Mojito Tea
Add 1 cup of muddled berries (strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries) to the pitcher before refrigerating. The fruit adds natural sweetness and gorgeous color.
Cucumber Mint Mojito Tea
Slice half a cucumber thinly and add to the pitcher with the mint. It adds this subtle refreshing quality that’s perfect for super hot days.
Coconut Mint Mojito Tea
Replace 1 cup of water with coconut water for a tropical twist. Sometimes I even add a splash of coconut milk when serving for a creamy version.
Spiked Mint Mojito Tea
For adult gatherings, add 1/4 cup white rum to the pitcher, or just add a shot to individual glasses. It transforms this mint mojito iced tea recipe into the cocktail that inspired it!
Sparkling Mint Mojito Tea
Replace half the cold water with club soda or sparkling water for a bubbly version that’s super refreshing.
Mint Mojito Iced Tea Recipe
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Pitcher
- Muddler or wooden spoon
- Strainer
- Knife and citrus juicer
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
For the Base Tea:
- 4 black tea bags or green/decaf alternative
- 6 cups filtered water divided: 4 hot + 2 cold
- 1/4 cup sugar or honey/agave/stevia
- 1 bunch fresh mint leaves ~1 cup loosely packed
- 3 limes juiced
- Ice cubes
- Lime slices and extra mint sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Boil 4 cups of water in a large pot. Remove from heat and steep tea bags for 5 minutes.
- While steeping, muddle 3/4 of the mint in a large pitcher to release oils.
- Stir sugar into the hot tea until fully dissolved.
- Remove tea bags and pour tea over the muddled mint.
- Add fresh lime juice and mix well. Let cool for about 30 minutes.
- Add 2 more cups of cold water and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Before serving, strain out the mint, pour over ice, and garnish with fresh mint and lime slices.
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
Can mojito mint be used for tea?
Absolutely! Mojito mint (also called spearmint) is perfect for making mint mojito iced tea recipe. It’s actually the traditional mint variety used in the classic cocktail and works amazing in tea. Its flavor is more subtle and sweeter than peppermint, which makes it ideal for this refreshing drink. I’ve found it blends perfectly with the citrus notes.
How to make an ice tea mojito?
Making an iced tea mojito is super simple! Start with my mint mojito iced tea recipe above, then to make it alcoholic, add 1.5 oz white rum per glass. Pour the prepared mint mojito iced tea over ice, add the rum, give it a quick stir, and garnish with extra mint leaves and lime wedges. You can also muddle the mint directly in each glass for an even stronger mint flavor if you’re making individual servings.
Does Philz Iced Mint Mojito have coffee?
Unlike my mint mojito iced tea recipe, the famous Philz Mint Mojito is actually a coffee drink! Their version combines coffee with mint, sugar and cream. My recipe is tea-based, making it lighter and more refreshing for hot summer days. If you love the Philz version but want less caffeine, this tea version gives you similar refreshing mint flavors without the coffee intensity.
What kind of alcohol is good in iced tea?
White rum is the classic choice for turning this mint mojito iced tea recipe into a cocktail, staying true to the mojito inspiration. But honestly, vodka works great too since it’s neutral and lets the tea and mint flavors shine. Bourbon makes a delicious southern-style spiked tea with more depth. For something different, try coconut rum or even a splash of limoncello which complements the lime already in the recipe.
What alcohol goes with mint tea?
Mint tea pairs amazingly with several spirits! White rum is perfect for that authentic mojito vibe in this mint mojito iced tea recipe. Vodka is always a safe bet that won’t overpower the delicate mint. Gin works surprisingly well if you like herbal notes – the botanicals in gin complement mint beautifully. For something unexpected, try a splash of Amaretto which creates a sweet almond-mint combo that’s really unique.
Storage Tips for Your Mint Mojito Iced Tea
This mint mojito iced tea recipe stays fresh in the fridge for about 3-4 days in a covered pitcher. The flavor actually gets better after the first day! Just remember to strain out all the mint leaves if storing longer than a day, otherwise it can get bitter.
If making for a party, prep everything the day before – it’s one less thing to worry about on the day and tastes even better!
For an extra refreshing twist, freeze some mint mojito iced tea in ice cube trays and use these instead of regular ice cubes. That way, your drink doesn’t get diluted as the ice melts.
Perfect Pairings with Mint Mojito Iced Tea
This refreshing drink goes amazing with so many summer foods! I love serving it with:
- Grilled chicken or fish
- Spicy foods (the coolness of the mint provides great balance)
- Fresh summer salads
- Anything with citrus flavors
If you enjoy this cooling mint tea recipe, you might also love my Bariatric Tea Recipe which offers similar refreshment with added health benefits.
For weight management, check out these 7 Powerful Lemon Balm Recipe for Weight Loss which pair wonderfully with this mint tea.
Herb lovers should definitely try the 7 Lemon Mint Bee Balm recipes which share similar flavor profiles to this mint mojito tea.
And if you’re looking for something with additional health benefits, my Natural Brazilian Mounjaro might be just what you need.
Final Thoughts
This mint mojito iced tea recipe has become my signature summer drink. Every time I make a pitcher, it brings back memories of backyard gatherings, lazy afternoons by the pool, and quiet evenings on the porch.
What started as an attempt to recreate a drink I loved from a cafe has become something uniquely mine. The balance of refreshing mint, tangy lime, and just enough sweetness makes this so much more than just another iced tea.
I hope this mint mojito iced tea recipe becomes a staple in your home too. Make it your own by adjusting the sweetness, trying different tea bases, or adding your own favorite fruits. That’s the beauty of home cooking – taking inspiration and transforming it into something that brings joy to your table.
Give this mint mojito iced tea recipe a try next time temperatures rise – your taste buds (and your guests) will thank you!