Go Back
–+ servings
Apple Iced Tea 1

Apple Iced Tea

This homemade sweet apple tea recipe transforms ordinary iced tea into something extraordinary with minimal effort. Perfect for summer cookouts, afternoon refreshments, or anytime you're craving something both familiar and novel.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cooling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Beverage
Cuisine American
Servings 8 glasses
Calories 68 kcal

Equipment

  • Medium Saucepan
  • Fine-mesh Sieve
  • Pitcher

Ingredients
  

Tea Base

  • 4 black tea bags or 4 teaspoons loose leaf black tea
  • 4 medium apples Honeycrisp or Gala, cored and sliced
  • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup adjust according to sweetness preference
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 8 cups water divided

For Serving

  • ice cubes
  • apple slices for garnish
  • cinnamon sticks for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Place sliced apples in a medium saucepan with 4 cups of water and the cinnamon stick. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer. Allow the mixture to cook for about 15 minutes until the apples soften and release their flavor.
  • While the apple mixture is simmering, bring the remaining 4 cups of water to a boil in a separate pot. Once boiling, remove from heat, add tea bags, and allow to steep for 5 minutes.
  • Remove tea bags and strain the apple mixture through a fine mesh sieve into the tea, pressing gently on the apples to extract maximum flavor. Add honey or your chosen sweetener while the liquid is still warm, stirring until completely dissolved.
  • Stir in the fresh lemon juice, which brightens the flavor and helps preserve the natural color of your apple iced tea. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature (approximately 30 minutes).
  • Transfer your apple iced tea to a pitcher and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Serve over ice with fresh apple slices and a cinnamon stick for garnish.

Notes

Keep the apple peels on for maximum flavor and added nutrients—apple skin contains up to 6 times the antioxidants found in the flesh!
For a visually stunning drink, freeze thin apple slices in ice cubes ahead of time and use these decorative ice cubes in your serving glasses.
Store in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 68kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 0.3gFat: 0.1gFiber: 1.2gSugar: 16gVitamin C: 8mg
Keyword Iced Tea, Apple Tea, Fruit Tea, Apple Iced Tea, Summer Drink
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!