Iced Tea

Four teas that are better cold than hot — which is rarer than the iced tea aisle suggests.

Most tea over ice is a compromise. It goes thin as the ice melts, or the tannins turn sharp, or it just tastes like weak hot tea that's gone cold. These four hold up.

Moroccan Mint — the mint cools the finish twice over. Brew double strength, pour over ice.

Hibiscus Berry — deep red and properly sweet, and the best cold-brewer of the four. Leave it in cold water overnight in the fridge for something clearer and less tannic than pouring hot tea over ice.

Mango Treat — sweet and summery, and it doesn't go watery as the ice melts, which is the usual disappointment.

Peach Paradise — peach, cranberry and rose. The most interesting of the four, and the one to make a jug of for other people.

Two ways to do it

Hot brew, then chill: brew at double strength so it survives the ice, then pour over. Fast, and works for all four.

Cold brew: put the leaf straight into cold water and leave it in the fridge for 8–12 hours. Slower, but smoother and less tannic — and for the herbals, noticeably better.

Three of these four are caffeine free, so they work at any hour of a hot day.

More tea: All Tea · Green Tea · Caffeine-Free ·