This Lychee Iced Tea recipe is refreshing, subtly sweet, and exciting with fresh lychee fruit floating in a tall glass of ice cold, brewed tea. Lychee tea will quickly become one of your favorites and good enough to show off at your next potluck or gathering. Bursting with the sweet, floral flavor of lychee, balanced with the earthy notes of black tea, and served over ice, this drink is perfect for anytime or the day.
Updated on May 17, 2025
What is Lychee Iced Tea?
Lychee Iced Tea is a chilled tea infused with lychee fruit juice and whole lychee fruit. The flavor is subtly sweet, floral, and radiates the calming flavors of tropical lychee with the awakening earthiness of black tea or tea of choice.
The unique taste of lychee blends well with various teas, making lychee iced tea a refreshing and slightly exotic alternative to regular iced tea. Plus, it’s like a treat without any additives or too much sugar so it’s healthier and more wholesome.
Lychee tea is aromatic and the texture of ice cubes, cold tea, and soft lychee fruit is delightful to fill your every craving for something light and tropical to sit down with.
Benefits of Lychee Iced Tea
- Hydration: This refreshing iced tea is a great way to stay hydrated, especially in hot weather.
- Rich in Antioxidants: Both black tea and lychees are rich in antioxidants, which can help fight oxidative stress and promote overall health.
- Natural Sweetness: Using lychee fruit and syrup gives the tea a natural sweetness, reducing the need for added sugars.
What is Lychee Fruit
- Origin: Lychee, also known as Litchi chinensis, is a tropical fruit native to the Guangdong and Fujian provinces of China, and it has been cultivated for over 2,000 years.
- Flavor Profile: It has a unique sweet and floral flavor, often described as a combination of grape, pear, and watermelon, making it a delightful addition to various dishes.
- Appearance: The fruit is round or oval with a bumpy, red or pink skin that becomes translucent white when peeled, revealing its juicy flesh and a single seed.
- Nutritional Benefits: Lychee is low in calories and high in vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber, offering various health benefits, including improved immunity and digestion.
- Culinary Uses: It can be enjoyed fresh, used in desserts, salads, beverages, and savory dishes, or preserved in syrup or canned for year-round use.
You can buy lychee fresh or canned. I prefer canned for this recipe, with the canned lychee juice, to make it quick and easy.
Ingredients for Lychee Iced Tea
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious tea:
- 3 black tea bags (or green tea for a lighter flavor)
- 1 can lychee fruit (in syrup or juice)
- 4 cups water
- Ice cubes
- Fresh mint leaves – garnish
- extra Lychee fruit (for garnish)
- 2-3 tablespoons simple syrup (optional, depending on sweetness preference) – omit for a less sweet version
Equipment
- Medium-sized saucepan – or ice tea maker
- Strainer or sieve
- Glass pitcher
- Stirring spoon
- Glasses and long spoons for serving
Instructions
- Brew black ice tea and make the strength to your preference. Let it cool.
- Add the tea and the entire can of lychee with lychee juice into a pitcher. Remove some of the juice for less sweetness. You can also take a few lychee and blend them and add them into the tea as lychee pulp.
- Mix well.
- Serve the tea with fruit in big glasses and add lots of ice. For added effect, shake the infused tea with some ice for a foamy top.
- Garnish with slapped mint. Enjoy your lychee iced tea with a long spoon on the side to eat the lychee fruits.
Notes
- Use a fresh can of lychee. Lychee in syrup will have added sugar. For less sweet, just use less syrup of juice from the can.
- You can cut the lychees if you prefer bite size.
- Blending some of the lychees will add more texture and lychee flavor.
- Use fresh brewed tea for the best taste.
Add ins and Variations
- Green or Jasmine Tea Option: For a lighter, more delicate flavor, swap out black tea for green or jasmine tea. The subtle grassy notes of green tea, or floral jasmine, pair beautifully with the floral sweetness of lychee.
- Sparkling Lychee Iced Tea: If you love bubbles, you can make this drink sparkling by adding a splash of soda water or sparkling water just before serving. This adds a fun twist and extra refreshment.
- Lychee Lemon Iced Tea: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the tea for a tangy citrus kick that balances the sweetness of the lychee.
- Creamy Lychee Ice Tea: Add some plant-milk or cream for a creamy milk tea version.
- Texture Tapioca Sensation: Adding tapioca pearls turns this into a fun treat.
- Lemongrass Lychee: Green hints, citrus, vibrant, and aromatic. Check out lemongrass iced tea and just add in the lychee and lychee juice yo make this.
How to Serve Lychee Iced Tea
- Serve lychee iced tea in tall glasses filled with ice, garnished with a few lychee fruits and fresh mint.
- Try in a punchbowl over ice with a big ice bucket for guests to make their own. Include extra fruit toppings on the side.
- For extra flair, add a reusable straw or a slice of lemon on the rim of the glass.
Questions
What does lychee taste like?
Lychee has a delicate, sweet flavor with floral and slightly citrusy notes. Some describe it as a blend between grapes, watermelon, and roses, making it an ideal addition to teas.
Can I use fresh lychees instead of canned?
Yes, fresh lychees can be used if they are in season. Simply peel and de-seed the lychees before blending. You may need to add some sugar or a syrup substitute since fresh lychees don’t come with syrup like the canned version.
Can I make this tea ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make a large batch of the tea and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Just be sure to stir well before serving and add ice cubes right before drinking to keep it chilled.
Is lychee iced tea caffeinated?
Yes, since this recipe uses black tea, it contains caffeine. However, if you prefer a caffeine-free version, you can substitute the black tea with a caffeine-free herbal tea like rooibos.
Can I use a sugar substitute?
Yes, if you’re looking for a lower-sugar option, feel free to use a sugar substitute such as stevia or monk fruit sweetener. Adjust the amount to taste based on your sweetness preference.
Enjoy this simple yet exotic Lychee Iced Tea recipe at home, and savor the delicious combination of floral lychee and refreshing iced tea in every sip!
Lychee Iced Tea Recipe
Equipment
- Medium-sized saucepan or ice tea maker
- Strainer or sieve
- Glass pitcher
- Stirring spoon
- Glasses and long spoons for serving
Ingredients
- 3 black tea bags or green tea for a lighter flavor
- 1 can lychee fruit in syrup or juice
- 4 cups water
- Ice cubes
- Fresh mint leaves garnish
- extra Lychee fruit for garnish; optional
- 2-3 tablespoons simple syrup optional, depending on sweetness preference – omit for a less sweet version
Instructions
- Brew black ice tea and make the strength to your preference. Let it cool.3 black tea bags, 4 cups water
- Add the tea and the entire can of lychee with lychee juice into a pitcher. Remove some of the juice for less sweetness. You can also take a few lychee and blend them and add them into the tea as lychee pulp.1 can lychee fruit
- Mix well.
- Serve the tea with fruit in big glasses and add lots of ice. For added effect, shake the infused tea with some ice for a foamy top.Ice cubes, 2-3 tablespoons simple syrup
- Garnish with slapped mint. Enjoy your lychee iced tea with a long spoon on the side to eat the lychee fruits.Fresh mint leaves, extra Lychee fruit
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