Homemade Mango Iced Tea Recipe

There's nothing more refreshing than a tall glass of Homemade Mango Iced Tea on a warm afternoon. The sweet tropical flavor of mango perfectly complements the earthy richness of brewed tea, creating a drink that’s both energizing and thirst-quenching.

this Recipe

I first whipped up a batch of this mango iced tea after a summer trip to Thailand, where fruit teas were a staple at every café. Ever since, it’s become my go-to drink whenever mangoes are in season — simple, budget-friendly, and irresistibly delicious.

Whether you're serving it at a backyard BBQ, packing it in a picnic basket, or just enjoying a glass on the porch, this mango iced tea will become a warm-weather favorite in your home too.

Let’s dive into what makes this drink so special.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Mango Iced Tea

Get ready to sip on something tropical, cooling, and incredibly easy to make. This mango iced tea recipe is everything you want in a summer beverage.

It’s Quick and Easy.
From start to finish, this drink takes just about 20 minutes to prepare (not counting chilling time). You’ll spend most of that simmering mango into a syrup, then just combine and cool.

It’s Naturally Sweetened.
You can use honey, agave, or your favorite sugar substitute in place of white sugar if you prefer a more wholesome twist. It’s flexible and can be as sweet or as subtle as you like.

It’s Budget-Friendly.
If you’ve got some ripe mangoes and basic tea bags at home, you’re nearly there. This recipe costs just a few dollars to make and yields enough for several glasses.

It’s Crowd-Pleasing and Customizable.
Want it stronger? Brew the tea longer. Prefer a little fizz? Add sparkling water instead of still. You can even spike it for a grown-up version!

With its golden color and sweet, sun-kissed flavor, this tea never fails to impress. Now, let’s take a closer look at the ingredients you’ll need.

Ingredients Notes

The beauty of Homemade Mango Iced Tea lies in its simplicity. Just a few basic ingredients come together to create a drink that feels luxurious and exotic.

Fresh Mango is the star here. You'll want to use a fully ripe mango — think soft to the touch and fragrant — for the best sweetness and flavor. Ataulfo and Kent varieties work particularly well due to their smooth texture and intense taste. If fresh mangoes aren’t available, frozen chunks work in a pinch, though fresh is always best.

Black Tea Bags provide the backbone of the drink. English breakfast or orange pekoe are excellent choices. Their slightly tannic, robust flavor balances the sweetness of the mango. If you're not a black tea fan, green tea or even a mild herbal tea like hibiscus can be a fun twist.

Sugar or Sweetener helps create the mango syrup and brings everything together. Regular white sugar is traditional, but feel free to sub in honey, maple syrup, or agave if you’d rather go the natural route. Adjust to taste depending on how ripe your mango is.

Lemon Juice adds just the right amount of tang to cut through the sweetness and brighten the entire drink. A squeeze of fresh lemon right before serving enhances the overall flavor profile and keeps it from feeling flat.

You’ll also need a fine mesh strainer, a small saucepan for the syrup, and a large pitcher to chill and serve your tea in. A blender is helpful (but not mandatory) for pureeing the mango.

How To Make This Homemade Mango Iced Tea

Creating this refreshing iced tea is easier than you might think. Let me walk you through it step by step.

Start by peeling and chopping your fresh mango into chunks. Add the mango to a saucepan with sugar and a splash of water. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mango softens and starts to break down — this usually takes about 10 minutes.

Once the mango is soft, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly. Then blend the mixture into a smooth puree, or mash it with a fork if you prefer a pulpier texture. Strain it through a fine mesh sieve to remove any fibrous bits, and set aside your silky mango syrup.

While the syrup cools, brew your black tea. Bring four cups of water to a boil and steep the tea bags for about 5 minutes, or longer if you like a bolder flavor. Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool slightly before combining.

In a large pitcher, stir together the cooled tea, mango syrup, and lemon juice. Mix well and taste — this is your moment to adjust sweetness or tartness to your liking.

Chill the tea in the refrigerator for at least an hour. To serve, pour over ice and garnish with fresh mint, mango slices, or lemon wheels. You’ll be amazed at how fast it disappears!

From start to finish, this whole process takes around 20 minutes of hands-on time. After a short chill, you’ve got a pitcher of golden sunshine ready to enjoy.

Storage Options

One of the great things about this mango iced tea is how well it stores. In fact, it might taste even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld.

You can keep the tea in an airtight glass pitcher or mason jar in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just give it a quick stir before serving, as natural mango pulp may settle.

If you want to make the mango syrup ahead of time, it stores beautifully in a small jar in the fridge for up to a week. This way, you can whip up a fresh batch of tea on demand in just minutes.

Avoid freezing the tea, as the texture of the mango can change, and the tea may become bitter upon thawing.

When reheating — say, if you want to try it warm on a chilly day — gently heat a mugful in the microwave or on the stovetop until just warm. Be careful not to boil, or the tea may turn too strong and the fruit lose its brightness.

Variations and Substitutions

This mango iced tea is endlessly adaptable, so don’t be afraid to make it your own.

Make It Sparkling.
Swap out half the tea with chilled sparkling water just before serving. The bubbles make it feel extra festive — perfect for brunches or summer parties.

Add Herbs.
Mint, basil, or rosemary add a fresh herbal twist. Simply steep them along with the tea or muddle them into the mango syrup for an aromatic upgrade.

Try a Different Tea Base.
Green tea gives a lighter, slightly grassy note that pairs beautifully with mango. For caffeine-free options, hibiscus or rooibos add unique flavor profiles and a pop of color.

Spice It Up.
Add a pinch of ginger, cardamom, or cinnamon to the mango syrup for a warming undertone. These spices add complexity and depth, making it feel a little more sophisticated.

Boozy Option.
Turn it into a cocktail by adding a splash of vodka, rum, or mango liqueur. Serve it in tall glasses with plenty of ice and garnish extravagantly.

Don’t be afraid to experiment — half the fun of homemade drinks is tailoring them to your own taste buds. And once you get the basics down, you’ll find yourself making mango iced tea on repeat all summer long.

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