Cherry iced tea is summer in a glass, fruity, vibrant, and endlessly refreshing. Whether you're after a low-effort afternoon cooler or a fruit-forward twist on a classic, cherry iced tea hits all the right notes. With the right ingredients and brewing methods, you can take this drink from good to unforgettable.
See our favourite cherry iced tea recipes here, including downloadable recipe cards:
CherryHill Cherry Blossom Cooler
Here’s everything you need to know: from using fresh fruit and organic tea bases to mastering both loose-leaf and tea bag techniques.
Why Cherry Iced Tea?
Cherries bring a bold sweetness and natural tartness that balance beautifully in cold drinks. When steeped with real tea, black, green, or herbal, they create a juicy, refreshing profile perfect for hot days. Add lemon, mint or honey and you’ve got a standout iced tea with real depth.
Choosing the Right Tea Base
For the best cherry iced tea, start with high-quality tea. Here are a few great options:
- Organic Black Tea: Bold and robust, ideal for standing up to strong cherry flavour
- Organic Green Tea: Lighter and grassy, perfect for a brighter, fresher profile
- Herbal or Hibiscus Tea: Caffeine-free and fruity, great for deepening the red hue and tanginess
- White Tea: Delicate and floral, it pairs well with subtle cherry sweetness
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CherryHill Cherry Tea: Real cherries picked from CherryHill Orchard blended with blackberry leaves to balance sweetness
Whenever possible, choose organic loose-leaf tea. It offers cleaner flavours and fewer additives than conventional tea bags.
Brewing Methods: Loose Leaf vs Tea Bags
Loose Leaf Tea Method
- Measure: Use 1–1.5 teaspoons of loose tea per cup of water.
- Add water: Combine tea with cold, filtered water in a large jar or pitcher.
- Steep: Cover and refrigerate for 6–12 hours.
- Strain: Use a fine mesh strainer or tea infuser to remove the leaves.
- Serve: Pour over ice with your cherry mix-ins.
Tea Bag Method
- Boil water: Steep 1 tea bag per cup in hot (not boiling) water for 5–7 minutes.
- Cool: Let it come to room temperature, then chill in the fridge.
- Sweeten & flavour: Add cherry purée, fresh cherries, or juice.
- Serve over ice.
Cherry Iced Tea Variations with Fresh Ingredients
- Fresh Cherries: Pit and muddle fresh cherries or infuse them directly into your brew. Simmer into a cherry syrup for stronger flavour.
- Citrus Additions: Lemon or lime brightens the tea and balances sweetness.
- Herbs: Mint or basil add herbal freshness, drop in whole sprigs while chilling.
- Natural Sweeteners: Use honey, agave or maple syrup while the tea is warm or make a simple syrup.
Real Fruit-Based Cherry Tea
Skip artificial flavours and use real fruit-based tea blends or natural cherry juice. Look for blends with dried cherry, hibiscus, apple, or rosehip.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Brew
- Use filtered water: It improves clarity and taste.
- Don’t overbrew: Oversteeping leads to bitterness, especially with green or black tea.
- Balance is key: Tart cherry + a touch of sweet + a hit of acid = perfect.
- Chill fully before serving: Lukewarm tea over ice waters everything down.
Final Thoughts
Cherry iced tea is easy to make, wildly versatile and always a hit. Whether you’re steeping organic loose-leaf or using a quick tea bag brew, fresh ingredients and real fruit are what take it to the next level. Serve it at your next barbecue, brunch, or lazy afternoon, and let summer do the rest.