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My fiancé and I went to Hong Kong last February for my birthday, I tried Lychee Sweet Tea at Din Tai Fung. Since I usually stick to non-alcoholic drinks, I was thrilled to find something new to enjoy. The tea was light, refreshing, and perfectly balanced—not too sweet.

It was so good that I decided to recreate it at home, hoping to make it a regular part of our drink selection.

Trust me, once you try this Lychee Sweet Tea, it will become your go-to drink for relaxing moments or impressing friends with a unique, delicious treat!

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Why You Will Love This Recipe

Exotic and Refreshing: The lychee adds an exotic twist to your usual tea, making it a refreshing and exciting change from the ordinary.
Boosts Energy: The caffeine from the black tea provides a gentle pick-me-up, perfect for a midday boost without the jitters of stronger coffee.
Antioxidant-Rich: Black tea is packed with antioxidants, and when paired with lychee, you get a delicious drink that’s also good for your health.
Fruity Garnish: Fresh or frozen lychee not only adds a beautiful touch to the drink but also enhances the flavor, making it a treat for both the eyes and taste buds.

Ingredients

Start with black tea, which forms the backbone of this drink. It’s important to select a quality black tea, whether in bags or loose leaf, as the strength and richness of the tea will balance the sweetness of the lychee.

For the lychee, you can use either fresh or frozen. Fresh lychee gives a slightly more vibrant and floral flavor, but frozen lychee is a convenient option that still delivers a delicious result. If you’re using canned lychee, the syrup from the can works perfectly. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even make your own syrup by reducing lychee juice with a bit of sugar.

Honey is the sweetener in this recipe, chosen for its natural, floral sweetness that complements the lychee without overpowering it. When choosing honey, go for a light, mild variety so that it enhances rather than masks the delicate lychee flavor.

Ingredients for making 4 servings of Lychee Sweet Tea:

2 black tea bags (or 2 teaspoons loose black tea)
1 cup fresh or frozen lychee (plus extra for garnish if desired)
2 tablespoons lychee syrup
2 tablespoons honey (adjust to taste)
4 cups water
Ice cubes (optional, if serving iced)

How to Make Lychee Sweet Tea

Instructions for making 4 servings of Lychee Sweet Tea:

Boil the Water: Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium-sized pot.
Brew the Black Tea: Once the water is boiling, remove it from the heat and add the black tea bags (or loose tea in an infuser). Let the tea steep for 5 minutes to achieve a strong, rich flavor. Remove the tea bags or strain out the loose tea.
Prepare the Lychee: While the tea is steeping, if using fresh lychee, peel and remove the seeds. If using frozen lychee, thaw it out.
Blend the Lychee: Place the prepared lychee and lychee syrup into a blender and blend until smooth. If you prefer a chunkier texture, you can blend it less.
Combine and Sweeten: Pour the brewed tea into a large pitcher. Add the blended lychee mixture and stir well. Then, add the honey, stirring until fully dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness if necessary.
Chill and Serve: Allow the tea to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until cold. Serve over ice cubes and garnish with additional lychee if desired.
Enjoy: Pour the Lychee Sweet Tea into glasses, and enjoy this refreshing and unique drink!

Recommendations & Alternatives

Spice it Up: For a warming twist, infuse the tea with a small piece of fresh ginger or a cinnamon stick during brewing.
Alcoholic Version: For a grown-up version, add a shot of rum or vodka to each glass for a delightful lychee cocktail.
Rose Water Accent: Add a few drops of rose water to the tea for an exotic floral note that complements the lychee beautifully.
Chia Seed Boost: Stir in a tablespoon of soaked chia seeds for added texture and a nutritional boost, giving the tea a slightly gel-like consistency.
Lychee-Pear Fusion: Blend lychee with fresh pear for a subtle, sweet combination that enhances the fruitiness of the tea.

Lychee Sweet Tea

This Lychee Sweet Tea recipe offers a delightful blend of black tea, fresh or frozen lychee, lychee syrup, and honey. It's a refreshing and exotic drink, ideal for enjoying a unique and flavorful beverage at home.

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Prep Time 10

Servings 4

Ingredients

2 black tea bags
1 cup fresh or frozen lychee (plus extra for garnish if desired)
2 tbsp lychee syrup
2 tbsp honey (adjust to taste)
4 cups water
Ice cubes (optional, if serving iced)

Instructions

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium-sized pot.
Once the water is boiling, remove it from the heat and add the black tea bags (or loose tea in an infuser). Let the tea steep for 5 minutes to achieve a strong, rich flavor. Remove the tea bags or strain out the loose tea.
While the tea is steeping, if using fresh lychee, peel and remove the seeds. If using frozen lychee, thaw it out.
Place the prepared lychee and lychee syrup into a blender and blend until smooth. If you prefer a chunkier texture, you can blend it less.
Pour the brewed tea into a large pitcher. Add the blended lychee mixture and stir well. Then, add the honey, stirring until fully dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness if necessary.
Allow the tea to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until cold. Serve over ice cubes and garnish with additional lychee if desired. Enjoy!