17 Tea Recipes Hot and Iced That Feel Like a Little Vacation in a Cup

A good cup of tea can calm a busy morning, cool a hot afternoon or warm your hands on a chilly night. And homemade tea costs a tiny fraction of what coffee shops charge. These tea recipes travel from a Southern porch to the streets of Bangkok, Marrakech and Istanbul, with cozy hot cups and refreshing iced pitchers along the way. Love warm drinks? Do not miss these cozy hot drinks for cold nights too. Put the kettle on and let us start sipping..

Cranberry Orange Holiday Iced Tea, Festive Tea Recipes Start Here

This ruby red pitcher looks like a party, but it is just black tea, cranberry juice and fresh orange. A touch of honey balances the tartness, and a cinnamon stick makes it taste like the holidays. Serve it over ice at Thanksgiving or warm it gently for a cozy evening. It is one of those tea recipes that guests always ask about.

You will need: You will need: 4 black tea bags, 4 cups boiling water, 2 cups cranberry juice, 1 orange (sliced), 1/4 cup honey, 1 cinnamon stick, ice, fresh cranberries.

How to make it: 1. Steep the tea bags and cinnamon in boiling water for 5 minutes. 2. Remove the bags and stir in honey. 3. Cool, then add cranberry juice. 4. Add orange slices and chill 1 hour. 5. Serve over ice with fresh cranberries.

Classic Southern Sweet Tea, a Legend Among Tea Recipes

In the South, sweet tea is more than a drink. It is hospitality in a glass. The secret is dissolving the sugar while the tea is hot and adding a tiny pinch of baking soda, which smooths out any bitterness. Pour it over lots of ice with a lemon wedge. How sweet do you like it: just a little or full Southern sweet?

You will need: You will need: 6 black tea bags, 2 cups boiling water, 1/2 to 1 cup sugar, pinch of baking soda, 6 cups cold water, ice, lemon.

How to make it: 1. Steep the tea bags in boiling water for 5 minutes. 2. Remove the bags without squeezing. 3. Stir in sugar and baking soda until dissolved. 4. Add cold water. 5. Chill and serve over ice with lemon.

Thai Iced Tea, One of the Most Loved Tea Recipes

Bright orange, creamy and sweet, Thai iced tea is a favorite at Thai restaurants all over the world. It is strong black tea with spices like star anise, sweetened with condensed milk and topped with a swirl of evaporated milk. At home you can use Thai tea mix or strong black tea with spices. It is one of those tea recipes that feels like dessert.

You will need: You will need: 1/2 cup Thai tea mix or 4 strong black tea bags, 1 star anise, 4 cups boiling water, 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 cup evaporated milk or half and half, ice.

How to make it: 1. Steep the tea and star anise for 5 minutes. 2. Strain and stir in condensed milk. 3. Cool completely. 4. Pour over glasses full of ice. 5. Top with evaporated milk and watch it swirl.

Hot Hibiscus Tea with Orange

Hibiscus flowers make a deep red tea that tastes tart and fruity, a bit like cranberry. It is naturally caffeine free, so you can enjoy a cup in the evening. A slice of orange and a little honey make it warm and comforting. The color alone will brighten a gray day. Have you ever tried a tea made from flowers?

You will need: You will need: 2 tablespoons dried hibiscus flowers, 2 cups boiling water, 1 to 2 teaspoons honey, 2 orange slices.

How to make it: 1. Put the hibiscus in a teapot or jar. 2. Pour boiling water over it. 3. Steep 5 to 7 minutes. 4. Strain into cups. 5. Stir in honey and add an orange slice.

Agua de Jamaica (Iced Hibiscus Tea)

In Mexico, chilled hibiscus tea is called agua de jamaica, and it is sold in big glass jars at markets and taco stands. It is tart, lightly sweet and incredibly refreshing. Make a big pitcher on the weekend and you have a colorful drink ready all week. Add a squeeze of lime or a few mint leaves to make it your own. It is one of the easiest tea recipes for a crowd.

You will need: You will need: 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers, 8 cups water, 1/2 cup sugar or honey, 1 lime, ice.

How to make it: 1. Boil 4 cups of water and add the hibiscus. 2. Simmer 5 minutes, then turn off the heat and steep 15 minutes. 3. Strain and stir in sugar. 4. Add 4 cups cold water and lime juice. 5. Chill and serve over ice.

Moroccan Mint Tea, One of the Most Famous Tea Recipes

In Morocco, mint tea is served to every guest, poured from high above the glass to make a little foam on top. It is green tea brewed with lots of fresh mint and sugar. The tea is sweet, fresh and soothing. Serving it in small glasses on a tray makes any afternoon feel special. Poll time: A) Hot tea B) Iced tea. Which do you drink more?

You will need: You will need: 1 tablespoon gunpowder green tea, 1 big bunch fresh mint, 3 to 4 tablespoons sugar, 4 cups boiling water.

How to make it: 1. Rinse the tea with a little boiling water and pour that water away. 2. Add mint, sugar and 4 cups boiling water to the pot. 3. Steep 4 minutes. 4. Pour a glass and pour it back into the pot twice to mix. 5. Pour from high into small glasses.

Fresh Garden Mint Tea

If you have mint growing in the yard, you already have tea. Fresh mint leaves in hot water make a bright, clean drink with no caffeine. It is lovely after a big meal and tastes great with a little honey. In summer, chill it and pour over ice. Do you grow mint at home? It spreads fast, so this recipe helps use it up.

You will need: You will need: 1 large handful fresh mint leaves, 2 cups boiling water, honey to taste, lemon slice (optional).

How to make it: 1. Rinse the mint and gently crush the leaves. 2. Put them in a teapot or mug. 3. Pour boiling water over the leaves. 4. Steep 5 minutes. 5. Strain, sweeten with honey and add lemon.

Lemon Ginger Tea With Honey, the Coziest of Tea Recipes

This is the cup many people reach for when they feel a chill coming on. Fresh ginger gives a warm, spicy bite, lemon adds brightness, and honey makes it soothing. Many people find it comforting after a heavy meal too. Make a big pot and keep it warm on the stove. Of all the tea recipes here, this one is the coziest for a cold day.

You will need: You will need: 2 inch piece fresh ginger, 4 cups water, juice of 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons honey, lemon slices.

How to make it: 1. Slice the ginger thin. 2. Simmer it in water for 10 minutes. 3. Turn off the heat. 4. Stir in lemon juice and honey. 5. Strain into mugs and add lemon slices.

Fresh Peach Iced Tea

Sweet peaches and black tea are a perfect match. A simple peach syrup made from fruit and sugar turns ordinary iced tea into something you would pay five dollars for at a cafe. Frozen peaches work great in fall and winter. Add a sprig of mint or basil for a fresh twist. Would you add mint or basil? Fruity tea recipes like this are a great way to drink less soda.

You will need: You will need: 2 peaches (or 2 cups frozen slices), 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, 6 black tea bags, 6 cups water, ice.

How to make it: 1. Simmer peaches, sugar and 1/2 cup water for 10 minutes, then strain. 2. Steep tea bags in 3 cups boiling water for 5 minutes. 3. Add 3 cups cold water. 4. Stir in the peach syrup. 5. Serve over ice with peach slices.

Half and Half Lemonade Iced Tea

Half iced tea and half lemonade, this drink is famous in the United States as the Arnold Palmer. It is sweet, tart and so easy to love on a sunny afternoon. Make the tea strong so it does not taste watery after the ice melts. These are the kinds of tea recipes kids and grandparents both enjoy. What would you call this drink at your house?

You will need: You will need: 4 cups cold black tea, 4 cups lemonade, ice, lemon slices, mint.

How to make it: 1. Brew strong black tea and let it cool. 2. Make or buy lemonade. 3. Fill glasses with ice. 4. Pour half tea and half lemonade. 5. Garnish with lemon and mint.

Honey Chamomile Tea, One of the Calmest Tea Recipes

Chamomile has a gentle, apple like flavor and no caffeine, which makes it a favorite cup before bed. Using loose flowers in a glass teapot looks beautiful and tastes fresher than many tea bags. A little honey and a splash of warm milk make it feel extra cozy. Is a warm cup before bed part of your routine?

You will need: You will need: 2 tablespoons dried chamomile flowers, 2 cups boiling water, 1 to 2 teaspoons honey, splash of warm milk (optional).

How to make it: 1. Put the chamomile in a teapot. 2. Add boiling water. 3. Cover and steep 5 minutes. 4. Strain into cups. 5. Stir in honey and milk if you like.

Cinnamon Orange Spiced Tea

This tea makes your whole house smell like the holidays. Black tea simmers with cinnamon sticks, cloves and orange peel for a warm, fruity cup. Keep a pot on the stove when guests come over for a cozy welcome. It is a great caffeine lighter option than coffee on a cold afternoon. What spice do you love most in fall?

You will need: You will need: 4 cups water, 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 whole cloves, peel of 1 orange, 3 black tea bags, honey, orange slices.

How to make it: 1. Simmer water with cinnamon, cloves and orange peel for 10 minutes. 2. Turn off the heat. 3. Add the tea bags and steep 4 minutes. 4. Strain and sweeten with honey. 5. Serve hot with orange slices.

Simple Brewed Green Tea

Green tea is light, grassy and full of flavor when you brew it right. The trick is to never use boiling water, which makes it bitter. Let the kettle cool for a couple of minutes first. Green tea has less caffeine than coffee, making it a gentle pick me up in the afternoon. How do you take your green tea: plain, with lemon or with honey?

You will need: You will need: 1 teaspoon loose green tea or 1 tea bag, 1 cup water heated to about 175F, lemon or honey (optional).

How to make it: 1. Heat water and let it cool for 2 to 3 minutes. 2. Warm your cup with a little hot water. 3. Add the tea. 4. Pour water and steep only 2 to 3 minutes. 5. Remove the leaves and enjoy.

Turkish Black Tea

In Turkey, tea is served all day in small tulip shaped glasses, strong and deep red. It is brewed in a double teapot, with strong tea on top and hot water below, so each person can make it as strong as they like. Serve it with sugar cubes on the side. Tea recipes from around the world show just how much people everywhere love a simple cup.

You will need: You will need: 4 tablespoons loose black tea (Turkish or Ceylon), water, sugar cubes.

How to make it: 1. Boil water in the bottom pot. 2. Put the tea in the top pot with a little hot water. 3. Set the top pot on the bottom pot and simmer gently for 15 minutes. 4. Pour the strong tea halfway into a glass. 5. Top up with hot water and add sugar.

Orange Honey Iced Tea

Fresh orange juice and a spoonful of honey turn plain iced tea into a sunny pitcher drink. It is less sweet than soda and great for brunch or picnics. Use blood oranges in winter for a beautiful pink color. Kids love helping to squeeze the oranges. Would you serve this one at brunch or at a backyard party?

You will need: You will need: 4 black tea bags, 4 cups boiling water, 1 cup fresh orange juice, 3 tablespoons honey, 2 cups cold water, ice, orange slices.

How to make it: 1. Steep the tea in boiling water for 5 minutes. 2. Stir in honey while hot. 3. Add cold water and orange juice. 4. Chill 1 hour. 5. Serve over ice with orange slices.

Rose Petal Tea

This tea is almost too pretty to drink. Dried rose petals brewed alone or with a little green or white tea make a delicate, floral cup. It is a lovely choice for a bridal shower, a tea party or a calm Sunday afternoon. Only use food grade petals that were not sprayed. Poll: A) Rose B) Chamomile C) Mint D) Hibiscus. Which floral tea would you pick?

You will need: You will need: 2 tablespoons dried food grade rose petals, 1 teaspoon green or white tea (optional), 2 cups water just off the boil, honey.

How to make it: 1. Put the petals and tea in a teapot. 2. Pour hot water over them. 3. Steep 4 to 5 minutes. 4. Strain into glass cups. 5. Sweeten lightly with honey.

English Breakfast Milk Tea

A classic cup of English tea with milk is simple comfort. Strong black tea, a splash of milk and maybe a little sugar is how millions of people start their day. Serve it with a couple of cookies for a proper tea break. It is the perfect way to end this list of tea recipes. Milk first or tea first? This is a famous debate in Britain!

You will need: You will need: 1 English breakfast tea bag, 1 cup boiling water, splash of milk, sugar (optional), cookies to serve.

How to make it: 1. Warm the mug with hot water and pour it out. 2. Add the tea bag and boiling water. 3. Steep 3 to 5 minutes. 4. Remove the bag. 5. Add milk and sugar to taste.