Sweetened Rose Iced Tea
Updated Nov 20, 2023
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Dried rose buds and black tea are used to flavor this caffeinated brisk and refreshing iced tea that’s made with 5 ingredients in 7 minutes from start to finish.
Rose Iced Tea
Edible dried rose buds and brisk black tea are the main ingredients in this refreshing sweetened rose iced tea.
Tea and dried rose buds or petals are steeped together in hot water, then sweetened and cooled down. You can use any black tea for this recipe, like English Breakfast tea, which is a blend of black teas.
Rose iced tea is a subtly floral and lightly sweet drink. Brewing the black tea for just a few minutes keeps the tea flavor balanced and not too bitter.
Note from Jee
I never make bitter tea anymore ever since I started using an electric kettle with a temperature setting and a timer.
As a Tea Sommelier, I found that the most common brewing mistakes were from brewing the tea for too long or using the wrong water temperature, both of which can make the tea bitter.
You’ll notice in my recipes I always include the brew time and water temperature for this reason.
Recipe Summary
- Rose iced tea is a cold drink made with black tea, dried rose buds, sugar, water, and ice.
- Black tea and rose buds are steeped in hot water then cooled down.
- This recipe makes 16 ounces (2 cups) but can easily be increased to fill a pitcher.
RELATED: Lavender Iced Tea
Ingredient Notes
- Black tea: Any black tea can work for this drink and I usually make this drink with English Breakfast tea. Use tea bags or tea sachets to make clean up easy.
- Dried rose buds: Use only food-grade rose buds or petals.
- Sugar: White sugar is used in this recipe, but any sweetener of your choice will work.
- Water: To make the best tasting iced tea, I always recommend using filtered water.
- Ice: Use filtered water to make ice if possible.
For full ingredients and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Put tea bags, dried rose buds, and hot water into a teapot.
Boil water on the stovetop or use an electric kettle with a temperature setting. For best results, make tea ahead of time and chill in the refrigerator.
Step 2: Cover and steep.
Step 3: Remove tea bag and strain rose buds. Stir in sugar. Cool down tea in the refrigerator.
Step 4: Pour tea into a cup with ice.
Recipe Notes
Use only food-safe dried rose buds.
The dried rose buds and petals at flower shops are full of pesticides and not meant for eating. Be sure to purchase edible, food-safe petals or buds when making tea.
Steep the tea properly.
Use the correct water temperature and don’t oversteep the tea. The longer you brew it, the more astringent and bitter black tea gets.
Use tea bags, tea sachets, or loose tea.
I like using tea bags or sachets since it makes for quick and easy cleanup but you can also use loose tea. Use 1 ½ teaspoons of black loose tea instead of 1 tea bag.
Expert Tips
- Fresh fruit like cut strawberries make for pretty garnishes when serving this tea at a baby shower to bridal party.
- Make a creamy, decadent drink by adding rose cold foam on top.
- Use remaining dried rose buds to make rose syrup or rose bubble tea.
- Rose iced tea can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Related
Want to save this recipe to Pinterest for later? Pin it now to your Pinterest board!
Rose Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 2 black tea bags, (or 1 tablespoon loose tea)
- 2 tablespoons dried rose buds, (chopped)
- ¾ cup hot water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 ½ cups ice
Instructions
- Put tea bags, chopped dried rose buds, and hot water into a teapot.Boil water on the stovetop or use an electric kettle with a temperature setting. Set water temperature to 195°F.
- Cover and steep for 5 minutes. Steeping for longer will make the tea bitter.
- Discard tea bags and strain out rose buds. Stir in sugar until it dissolves.To strain out the rose buds, pour hot tea from the teapot into a cup, using a mesh strainer. Pour hot tea back into the teapot.Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to cool.
- Pour cooled down tea into a cup with ice.
Notes
- Any black tea can work for this drink, like English Breakfast tea.
- Rose buds or rose petals can be used.
- The dried rose buds sold at flower shops are full of pesticides and not meant for eating. Be sure to purchase edible, food-safe petals or buds when making tea.
- White sugar is used in this recipe, but any sweetener of your choice works.
- Fresh fruit like cut strawberries make for pretty garnishes when serving this tea at a baby shower to bridal party.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
