There’s something magical about the sweet, floral taste of lychees, especially when they’re paired with chilled tea. My Iced Lychee Tea is a simple, cooling drink you can enjoy on hot afternoons, at brunch, or whenever you need a fruity pick-me-up. It’s refreshing, light, and naturally sweet — and the best part? You only need a handful of ingredients to make it.
This recipe feels fancy enough for guests but easy enough for everyday sipping. Let’s dive into this tropical delight!
Quick Facts
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
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Cooking Time: 5 minutes
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Total Time: 15 minutes
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Serving Size: 2 glasses
Why You’ll Love This Iced Lychee Tea
This drink tastes like a vacation in a glass — cool, sweet, and beautifully fragrant.
Here’s why I love making it:
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Uses simple ingredients
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Naturally sweet, so less sugar needed
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Looks elegant without much effort
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Perfect for summer or warm evenings
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Can be made with fresh, canned, or frozen lychees
It’s the kind of refreshing drink that instantly boosts your mood.
Ingredients You’ll Need
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2 black tea bags (or green tea bags for a lighter flavour)
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1 cup lychee juice (from fresh or canned lychees)
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6–8 lychees (fresh or canned), pitted
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1–2 teaspoons sugar or honey (adjust to taste)
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1½ cups cold water
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Ice cubes
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Mint leaves (optional for garnish)
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A slice of lemon (optional)
How to Make Iced Lychee Tea
Step 1: Brew the Tea
Heat the water and dip the tea bags for 2–3 minutes. Do not over-brew or the tea may turn bitter.
Let it cool completely.
Step 2: Prepare the Lychee Base
Blend half of the lychees with the lychee juice to create a smooth purée.
This gives the drink its signature tropical sweetness.
Step 3: Mix Everything
In a jug, combine the cooled tea, lychee purée, and sweetener. Stir well.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Fill glasses with ice cubes, pour the drink, and top with whole lychee pieces.
Garnish with mint leaves or a thin slice of lemon if you like.
Refreshing, fragrant, and perfect for hot days!
Serving Suggestions
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Serve in tall glasses for a café-style look.
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Pair with light snacks like sandwiches, salads, or cookies.
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Add sparkling water for a fizzy twist.
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Freeze leftover tea into ice cubes to prevent dilution.
Tips for Customization
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Green tea version: Use green tea for a milder, more delicate flavour.
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Stronger lychee flavour: Add extra lychee juice or a spoon of lychee syrup.
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Sugar-free version: Skip sweeteners — lychee is naturally sweet.
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Herbal twist: Add lemongrass or ginger while brewing the tea.
Nutritional Info (Per Glass – Approx.)
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Calories: 70–90
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Sugar: 14–18g
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Carbs: 17g
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Fat: 0g
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Protein: 0g
Naturally low-fat and refreshing — perfect for hot weather.
FAQs
1. Can I use canned lychees?
Yes! Canned lychees are perfect for this recipe and give a consistent flavour.
2. Can I prepare this iced tea ahead of time?
Absolutely. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
3. Which tea works best?
Black tea for bold flavour, green tea for a light tropical taste.
4. How can I make it extra fancy?
Freeze a few lychees and use them as edible “ice cubes.”
5. Is it okay to replace lychee juice with water?
You can, but the drink will be less fruity. Adding at least some lychee syrup is recommended.
Final Thoughts
Iced Lychee Tea is one of my favourite quick drinks — bright, tropical, and effortless. Whether you’re hosting friends, cooling down after a long day, or just craving something refreshing, this drink is guaranteed to impress.
