Earl Grey Iced Tea with Honey is a refreshing summer beverage that’s easy to prepare. Brew the tea, dissolve honey while the water is hot, cool to room temperature, then serve over ice for a bright, citrusy drink.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Homemade iced tea tastes fresher than store-bought and lets you control sweetness and flavor. Earl Grey brings a pleasant bergamot citrus note that makes this tea light and refreshing. Adjust the honey or swap in another sweetener to suit your taste. Make a pitcher and refrigerate for quick, cold drinks all week—perfect for hot days, picnics, or casual gatherings.
Earl Grey Iced Tea Ingredients
- Water: 6 cups filtered water.
- Earl Grey Tea: 4 Earl Grey tea bags (regular or decaffeinated).
- Honey: 3 teaspoons, or to taste (substitute sugar, simple syrup, or a preferred sweetener if desired).
- Ice: For serving.
- Lemon wedges and mint leaves: Optional garnishes.
The specific ingredient amounts are also listed in the recipe card below.
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Bring 6 cups of filtered water to a boil in a medium saucepan, then remove from heat.
- Stir in the honey until fully dissolved. Add 4 Earl Grey tea bags to the hot water and steep for about 15 minutes, depending on how strong you like it. Remove and discard the tea bags.
- Allow the tea to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a pitcher or carafe.
- Serve over ice and garnish with lemon wedges and mint leaves if you like. Store any leftovers refrigerated in a sealed container for up to one week.
Variations
- Swap the sweetener: use cane sugar, coconut sugar, simple syrup, or a non-caloric sweetener to suit dietary preferences.
- Arnold Palmer: omit honey to keep it unsweetened, chill, then combine with lemonade for a classic Arnold Palmer.
- Try different teas: use green tea, white tea, or fruit-flavored blends for alternative flavors.
- Choose decaffeinated Earl Grey if you prefer a caffeine-free option.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the tea over plenty of ice with a lemon slice and a sprig of fresh mint for a crisp presentation. It’s an excellent non-alcoholic choice for garden parties, barbecues, picnics, and brunches, and it’s easy to scale up for a crowd.
Frequently Asked Questions
Earl Grey is a black tea flavored with bergamot oil, which gives it a distinctive floral and citrus aroma.
Black teas like Earl Grey or Orange Pekoe make classic iced tea, but green, white, and fruit-flavored teas also produce delicious iced versions.
More Summer Entertaining Recipes
If you enjoy this iced tea, other seasonal recipes to consider include scones, corn salad, fresh mango salsa, or a fruit galette—great for entertaining and pairing with cold drinks.
- Earl Grey Scones
- Fiesta Corn Salad with Avocado
- Fresh Mango Salsa
- Rainbow Orzo Salad
- Strawberry Peach Galette
If you make this recipe, leave a rating and comment to share how it turned out.
Earl Grey Iced Tea
- Author: Nicole | Fresh Apron
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Steep
- Cuisine: American
Description
Earl Grey Iced Tea with Honey is a simple, bright, and refreshing drink—perfect for warm weather or any time you want a light, citrus-forward iced tea.
Ingredients
- 6 cups water
- 4 Earl Grey tea bags
- 3 teaspoons honey (or more to taste)
- Ice
- Lemon wedges and mint leaves, optional
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan, then remove from heat.
- Stir in honey until dissolved. Add tea bags and steep for 15 minutes, then discard the bags.
- Allow tea to cool to room temperature, transfer to a pitcher, and refrigerate if not serving immediately.
- Serve over ice with lemon and mint if desired.
Notes
Store refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 1 week. Nutritional values are approximate.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 15
- Sugar: 3.1 g
- Sodium: 17 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4.1 g
- Protein: 0 g