Imagine the tropical allure of ripe mangoes, their juicy sweetness dancing on your palate. Now picture this delightful essence infused into a refreshing glass of iced tea!
This Mango Iced Tea recipe, crafted with fresh mangoes, is more than just a drink — it’s a vibrant escape to a sun-kissed paradise. Ideal for savoring on a warm afternoon, during a gathering of friends, or as a rejuvenating treat after a long day, this refreshing and healthy drink is a celebration of natural flavors.
Prepare to be whisked away on a sensory journey where the exotic meets the familiar, and each sip brings a smile of pure satisfaction!
Why You Should Try This Recipe
- Delicious & Refreshing: The fresh mango used for making this iced tea gives it an irresistible and fruity flavor.
- Healthy: Store-bought iced teas usually contain plenty of sugar and preservatives. This recipe is made with natural ingredients full of vitamins and antioxidants.
- As You Like It: You can easily adjust the sweetness and strength of the Mango Iced Tea to suit your personal preference. You can also make it a herbal tea by leaving out the black tea and using ingredients like ginger, chamomile, and mint.
Ingredients
One great thing about this recipe is that you don’t need any expensive ingredients. Regular tea bags (or loose leaf tea) will do just fine. If you can’t get any fresh mangoes, you can use frozen mango cubes or even store-bought mango nectar instead.
Ingredients for making 4 cups (32) oz of Mango Iced Tea:
- Black Tea: 2 tea bags (or 2 tsp loose leaf tea) or use your favorite herbal tea instead
- Water: 4 cups of water
- Mango: One ripe mango (you can also use frozen mango cubes or mango nectar)
- Honey: 2 tbsp of honey for a sweetener (you can also use sugar)
How to Make Mango Iced Tea
It only takes about 15 minutes to prepare this delicious drink and you don’t need any special equipment.
Step-by-step instructions for making 4 cups (32 oz) of Mango Iced Tea:
Step 1: Add 2 cups of boiled water into a large pitcher and steep the tea bags for about 10 minutes.
Step 2: Cut the mango into small pieces and add to a saucepan with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and continue cooking for about 10 minutes while mashing the mango into pulp.
Step 3: Strain the mango nectar into the pitcher. Add honey (or sugar) and stir.
Step 4: Let your mango tea cool down. Serve over ice with mango slices.
Storage
Proper storage is key to maintaining the freshness and flavor of your Mango Iced Tea.
You can store the Mango Iced Tea in the fridge for up to 4 days. It’s best to use an airtight container or a pitcher with a lid to keep it fresh.
Tips & Variations
- Stir Before Serving: If the tea separates or settles, give it a good stir or shake (if in a sealed container) before serving.
- Strength: Use more tea bags to make a stronger brew and increase the caffeine content. If you want a milder and brighter taste, use green tea instead of black tea.
- Sweetness: I only used 2 tablespoons of honey to make 4 cups of tea but you can also add more if you like it extra sweet.
- Additional Ingredients: Experiment with additional ingredients like fresh lemon and herbs to add flavor.
- Alcohol: For an adult version, a splash of rum, vodka, or a flavored liqueur can be a fun addition if you serve the Mango Ices tea at a party.
Homemade Mango Iced Tea FAQ
What is the best way to incorporate the mango flavor into the iced tea?
Boiling and mashing fresh mango and then straining it into the brewed tea is the most effective way to infuse the mango flavor. You can also steep the tea with mango slices for a subtler taste.
Can I use mango juice/nectar instead of fresh mango?
Yes, mango juice or nectar is a convenient alternative. It blends easily with the tea and offers a consistent mango flavor. However, you should note that store-bought mango nectars often have added sugar.
Should I use loose leaf tea or tea bags for making Mango Iced Tea?
Either works fine. Loose leaf tea often has a fresher, fuller flavor, but tea bags are more convenient and easier to measure.
How can I prevent the iced tea from becoming too diluted when served with ice?
Make a stronger brew than usual, as the melting ice will dilute the tea. Alternatively, you can freeze some of the tea or mango juice into ice cubes and use them instead of regular ice.
Mango Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 2 Black Tea Bags (or 2 tsp loose leaf tea)
- 1 Ripe Mango (or frozen mango cubes)
- 4 cups Water (divided)
- 2 tbsp Honey
- Ice
Instructions
- Add 2 cups of boiled water and the tea bags into a large pitcher and steep for about 10 minutes.
- Heat 2 cups of water and diced mango in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes while mashing the mango into a puree.
- Strain into the pitcher, add honey, and stir.
- Let the tea cool down and serve with ice and mango slices.
