Learn how to make cranberry iced tea with this easy 4 ingredient recipe. This recipe features fresh or frozen cranberries, a bit of sugar, and classic black tea. It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this delicious and refreshing cranberry ice tea!
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I am on a cranberry kick, but I love cranberries so it’s no hardship for me to test and record my cranberry recipes. Cranberries are beautiful and have such a vivid red they make every recipe look so festive. Not only do they add color, but they are full of tart flavor! This recipe combines the flavor of cranberries with classic iced sweet tea for a refreshing combination.
Ingredients in Cranberry Iced Tea
- Fresh or Frozen Cranberries – I’ve used both fresh and frozen cranberries for making tea, and both work well. Avoid dried cranberries or cranberries with added sweeteners.
- Black Tea – For making iced tea, Lipton tea is my go-to. However, you can choose your favorite tea!
- Sugar – Granulated white sugar is a great option for this recipe. It sweetens the tea perfectly!
- Water – Use filtered water if available!
- Lemon (optional) – Lemon adds color and flavor to this iced tea. Use as a garnish or squeeze a bit of juice to add zest.
- Orange (optional) Oranges are a classic complement to cranberries. Use as a garnish or squeeze a bit of juice to add flavor.
How to Make Cranberry Iced Tea
To make cranberry iced tea, start by preparing your tea. There are two great ways to make tea for iced tea. One is by cold brewing and the other is the traditional method of infusing tea with hot water. Both options make delicious tea! For this recipe, I decided to cold brew my tea.
Step One
Add tea bags to a large jar such as a mason jar and pour over cool water. Secure a fitted lid on the jar and refrigerate for 8-12 hours. Steeping the tea overnight is a great idea. Once the tea has finished steeping, remove the tea bags and squeeze out any liquid from them.
Step Two
Prepare cranberries by giving them a light rinse and sorting out any spoiled fruit.
Add cranberries to a small pot with sugar and water. Cook over low heat allowing the sugar to dissolve and all the ingredients to infuse together. Cook until the cranberries have popped.
Let the cranberry simple syrup cool enough to handle before straining out the pulp. Allow the cranberry syrup to completely cool before using it in the tea.
Step Three
Add prepared tea and homemade cranberry simple syrup to a large pitcher and stir until combined.
Serve over ice (PRO TIP: Use tea ice cubes to avoid a watered-down taste as the ice melts.)
Add optional lemon and/or orange slices to flavor and garnish.
Recipe Notes
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries.
- This is a great make-ahead drink recipe. I suggest making the day before and storing the prepared tea and cranberry simple syrup separately.
- Garnish with citrus slices such as orange or lemon.
- If you love and prefer green tea, consider substituting the black tea with green tea.
- While cranberry juice is sometimes used for flavoring, I prefer making my own cranberry simple syrup. It’s full of flavor and so easy to make!
Love Flavored Iced Tea? Try it with Strawberry, Watermelon, or Blackberry!
SERVING
Once you have mixed tea and cranberry simple syrup this festive cranberry iced tea is ready to serve! Enjoy over ice and garnish with slices of lemon or orange. You can also add mint or rosemary for flavor and color.
Storage
If you do find yourself with leftovers (a rare but delightful occurrence), store in an airtight container for up to two days in the refrigerator. Just stir it before serving again.
CAFFEINE
A common question about iced tea is does it have caffeine? The short answer is yes, it does contain caffeine. However, you can make a caffeine-free version using rooibos tea. (Red tea) This is an herbal tea that tastes surprisingly similar to black tea.
Why You Will Love
Ah, iced tea! It’s that quintessential summer beverage that conjures up images of sun-soaked porches and laughter with friends. From its roots to the myriad of variations we see today, iced tea reminds me of simple summers in the backyard. And when it comes to summer refreshers, nothing says ‘unique twist’ quite like adding cranberries into the mix. Cranberry Iced tea is also wonderful for serving in the winter. Its red color brightens the serving table for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or Game Day entertaining!
- Easy to Make and Customize.
- Made with fresh real ingredients.
- Festive drink to serve for the holidays.
- Make ahead drink recipe.
FAQs about Iced Cranberry Tea
There are two healthful ingredients in this recipe; black tea and cranberries. While enjoying this drink be mindful that there is also sugar that adds calories without a lot of nutritional benefits.
It’s a refreshing blend of cranberries and iced tea! Perfect for a summer refresher or a festive holiday drink! I love this for Valentine’s Day with its natural bright red color!
The time for steeping cranberry tea depends upon what water temperature is being used. For cold brewed tea, steep for at least 8 hours up to 12 hours.
If you are using hot water, then steep for about 5 minutes.
More Iced Tea Recipes
- Tamarind Iced Tea
- Iced London Fog
- Iced Roselle Tea
- Iced Butterfly Tea
- Iced Dirty Matcha Latte
- Peach Iced Tea
- Lychee Iced Tea
I hope you enjoy this tea recipe. Leave a comment below and let’s connect!
Cranberry Iced Tea Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Fresh or Frozen Cranberries
- 2 Black Tea bags or 8 regular sized tea bags
- 9 cups Filtered Water divided
- 1 cup Sugar
Instructions
- Add tea bags to a large jar such as a mason jar and pour over 8 cups of cool water. Secure a fitted lid on the jar and refrigerate for 8-12 hours. Steeping the tea overnight is a great idea.
- Once the tea has finished steeping, remove the tea bags and squeeze out any liquid from them.
- Prepare cranberries by giving them a light rinse and sorting out any spoiled fruit.
- Add cranberries to a small pot with sugar and 1 cup of water. Cook over low heat allowing the sugar to dissolve and all the ingredients to infuse together. Cook until the cranberries have popped.
- Let the cranberry simple syrup cool enough to handle before straining out the pulp. Allow the cranberry syrup to completely cool before using it in the tea.
- Add prepared tea and homemade cranberry simple syrup to a large pitcher and stir until combined.
- Add optional lemon and/or orange slices to flavor and garnish.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries.
- This is a great make-ahead drink recipe. I suggest making the day before and storing the prepared tea and cranberry simple syrup separately.
- Garnish with citrus slices such as orange or lemon.
- If you love and prefer green tea, consider substituting the black tea with green tea.
- While cranberry juice is sometimes used for flavoring, I prefer making my own cranberry simple syrup. It’s full of flavor and so easy to make!
Nutrition
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only.
Heather says
This tea looks so refreshing. I love to have alternatives to plain water stocked in the fridge when I’m trying to stay hydrated. I’m going to make a batch this weekend. And thanks for linking to other tea recipes, too. I’m going to bookmark this page!
Courtney says
I’m so glad you’re here and welcome!
Jennifer says
Sounds delicious! I love different teas.
Courtney says
Me too! There are so many different flavors to enjoy!
Tracy McHugh says
This looks like delightfully delicious drink. I’ve never actually made any drinks or food with fresh cranberries before. Now that spring is fast approaching I’ll have to make this recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Sandra Joseph says
Looks perfectly refreshing for a Florida spring or summer day!!!:
Courtney says
It is! Enjoy!
Ronda says
Just found your site and it will be bookmarked immediately! Love this recipe, cant wait to make it.
Courtney says
Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here!
Tracy McHugh says
I’ve never had any food or drinks with fresh cranberries in them. With spring around the corner I will definitely have to try this recipe out. Thanks for sharing!
Courtney says
Enjoy!
S Gardiner says
This sounds delicious. I’ll definitely give this recipe a try.
Courtney says
Enjoy! If you love it please come back and leave a review!
Elia Suggs says
That looks and sounds so refreshing! Savin it for this summer!
Courtney says
Enjoy!
Bailey says
This looks so refreshing! Perfect for summer. Thanks, I’ll be trying this out by the pool
Courtney says
It’s a fun twist on the classic! Enjoy!
Dahlia A says
This looks so good. This is on my must try list if beverages to make. Thank you and I look forward to making this.
Benny says
It looks and sounds so good. I will definitely be trying this recipe. It will become a summer staple this year.
Carolyn M says
I have some frozen cranberries I need to use.. this will be a great way to use them as it sounds delicious!
Andrea says
Yum!! This looks so good. I’ve been loving having tea in the fridge for when I get a craving for something refreshing. Can’t wait to try this one!