This golden mango iced tea is thick, fruity, and ridiculously refreshing. I made my first batch last June when the weather turned hot and sticky, and I've been hooked ever since. You blend up ripe mangos with a little honey, strain it smooth, and stir it into cold black tea. That's it. Three ingredients, maybe six minutes of work, and you've got a drink that tastes better than anything you'd pay five dollars for at a café.
If you're into easy homemade drinks, you might also like my Delicious Golden Milk Recipe In 10 Minutes or The Best Apple Cider Margarita Recipe when you want something with a kick.
I handed Lina her first glass of this Mango Iced Tea on a sticky afternoon, and she took one sip, then looked up at me with wide eyes. "Mommy, it tastes like a hug from a mango," she said, completely serious. I laughed so hard I almost spilled mine. She drank the whole thing in about four minutes, then asked if she could have "just a little more" three times. Now she asks for "mango hugs" every weekend, and honestly, I can't blame her.
Why You Will love this Mango Iced Tea
This Mango Iced Tea is everything you want in a summer drink. It's naturally sweet from the ripe fruit and honey, so you're not dumping in tons of sugar like store-bought versions. The mango puree iced tea base makes it thick and satisfying, almost like a light smoothie but still drinkable and refreshing. You can make a big pitcher in less than 10 minutes, and it keeps beautifully in the fridge for days.
It's the kind of tropical iced tea that makes you feel like you're on vacation, even if you're just sitting on your back porch. The black tea iced drink adds a gentle caffeine boost without being too strong, and the mango flavor is so vibrant and real. Kids love it, adults love it, and it's honestly one of the easiest refreshing mango drink recipes I've ever made.
Plus, you can skip the fancy syrups and powders. This Mango Iced Tea is real fruit, real tea, and real flavor.
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Mango Iced Tea Ingredients
These ingredients come together to create the smoothest, most flavorful mango iced tea you've ever tasted.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
Water : Helps the mangos blend into a silky puree without being too thick.
Brewed black tea : Forms the base of this drink and adds a subtle earthy flavor that balances the sweetness of the mango. You can brew your favorite black tea bags or use loose leaf if you prefer.
Ripe mangos : The star ingredient that gives this mango tea its beautiful golden color and sweet tropical flavor. Choose mangos that smell fragrant and give slightly when pressed.
Honey : Adds natural sweetness and helps the mango puree blend smoothly into the tea. You can adjust this based on how sweet your mangos are.
How to Make Mango Iced Tea
This simple mango iced tea comes together in just a few easy steps, and the result is so fresh and delicious.
Prepare Mango Puree: Place your peeled and sliced mangoes in a blender along with ¼ cup water and honey. Pulse until everything turns smooth and liquified, with no chunky bits left. If you need help slicing mangos cleanly, check the blog post for photo tips.
Strain Mango Puree: Pour the mango puree through a sieve or cheesecloth to catch any pulp or fibers. This step gives you that silky, restaurant-quality texture.
Combine with Tea: Add the strained mango puree to your brewed black tea and stir well to combine. The tea will turn a gorgeous golden orange color, and the whole kitchen will smell amazing.
Optional Straining: For an even smoother cold mango beverage, run the mango tea mixture through a sieve one more time. This removes every last bit of pulp and makes the drink perfectly smooth.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve your mango iced tea chilled straight from the fridge, or pour it over a glass packed with ice. Take a sip and enjoy that sweet, fruity, refreshing flavor.
Substitutions and Variations
You can easily adjust this Mango Iced Tea recipe to fit what you have on hand or your personal taste.
Make it sparkling: Top each glass with a splash of sparkling water for a fizzy twist on this mango drink with ice.
Swap the honey: Use maple syrup, agave nectar, or even a bit of sugar if that's what you prefer. Start with less and add more to taste.
Try green tea: If you want a lighter flavor, use brewed green tea instead of black tea. It pairs beautifully with mango and feels even more refreshing.
Add lime juice: A squeeze of fresh lime juice brightens up the whole drink and adds a little tang that balances the sweetness.
Use frozen mango: If fresh mangos aren't available, frozen mango chunks work great. Just thaw them slightly before blending.
Kid-Approved Changes
Lina and her friends love this drink as-is, but here are a few tweaks that make it even more fun for little ones.
- Freeze it into popsicles: Pour the mango iced tea into popsicle molds and freeze for a few hours. Kids go crazy for these on hot days.
- Add fruit slices: Drop in a few fresh strawberries, orange slices, or even a handful of blueberries for color and extra flavor.
- Serve it in a fancy glass: Kids love feeling special, so serve their sweet iced tea recipe in a fun cup with a colorful straw.
- Make it a float: Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or mango sorbet on top for an extra treat.
Expert Tips
Use ripe mangos: The riper your mangos, the sweeter and more flavorful your tea will be. Look for mangos that smell sweet and feel slightly soft. Brew strong tea: Since you're adding mango puree, the tea flavor can get diluted. Brew your tea a little stronger than usual so it still comes through. Strain twice: Don't skip the straining step. It makes a huge difference in texture and gives you that smooth, professional finish.
Chill the tea first: Let your brewed tea cool completely before adding the mango puree. This keeps the drink cold and refreshing right from the start.
Equipment For Mango Iced Tea
Here's what makes this fruit iced tea recipe come together easily.
- Blender: For pureeing the mangos into a smooth, silky base.
- Sieve or cheesecloth: To strain out any pulp and create that perfectly smooth texture.
- Pitcher: For mixing and storing your finished mango black tea in the fridge.
- Knife: For peeling and slicing the mangos cleanly and safely.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This summer iced tea recipe stores beautifully and actually tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge.
Don't add ice too early: If you're making a big batch for a party, keep the tea chilled but don't add ice until right before serving so it doesn't get watered down.
Refrigerate: Store your mango iced tea in a sealed pitcher in the fridge for up to 4 days. Give it a quick stir before serving since the mango may settle a bit.
Freeze the puree: Make a double batch of the mango puree and freeze it in ice cube trays. Pop a few cubes into your tea whenever you want a fresh glass.
Brew tea ahead: You can brew your black tea the night before and let it cool completely in the fridge. Then just blend and mix when you're ready.
Serving Suggestions
This iced tea for summer is delicious on its own, but here are a few ways to make it even more special.
- Pair it with brunch: Serve it alongside scrambled eggs, toast, and fresh fruit for a bright and sunny weekend meal.
- Enjoy it with grilled food: The sweet tropical flavor is perfect with grilled chicken, fish tacos, or burgers on a warm evening.
- Serve it at a party: Make a big pitcher for BBQs, picnics, or birthday parties. It's always a hit, and everyone asks for the recipe.
- Sip it poolside: Pour it over ice, add a slice of lime, and relax. It's the ultimate refreshing mango drink for lazy summer afternoons.
If you're looking for more drink ideas to pair with this one, try my Delicious Piña Colada Recipe for a tropical twist.
FAQ
Is mango iced tea good for you?
Yes! This healthy iced tea recipe is made with real fruit, natural honey, and black tea, which has antioxidants. It's a much better choice than store-bought versions loaded with sugar and artificial flavors. Just enjoy it in moderation since it does have natural sugars from the mango and honey.
How to make iced tea with mango?
Blend ripe mangos with a bit of water and honey until smooth, strain out the pulp, then stir the mango puree into brewed black tea. Chill and serve over ice. It's that simple, and the result is a beautiful homemade iced tea that tastes fresh and tropical.
What does mango iced tea taste like?
It tastes sweet, fruity, and tropical with a hint of earthiness from the black tea. The mango flavor is bright and refreshing, and the honey adds a natural sweetness that's not too heavy. It's like sipping on sunshine.
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Pairing
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Mango Iced Tea
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add peeled mango slices to a blender with the water and honey. Pulse until smooth.
- Pass the mango puree through a sieve or cheesecloth to remove the pulp.
- Combine the strained mango puree with the brewed iced tea and stir well.
- Optional: Run the mango and tea mixture through the sieve again to ensure no pulp remains.
- Serve chilled or over ice and enjoy!
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