Rose Iced Tea
on Mar 20, 2023, Updated Nov 20, 2023
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Edible dried rose buds and black tea are used to flavor this caffeinated brisk and refreshing iced tea. Made with 5 ingredients, rose iced tea is a perfectly sweet and refreshing drink.
Rose Iced Tea
Edible dried rose buds and a brisk black tea are the main ingredients in this refreshing rose iced tea.
To make the best tasting iced tea, avoid brewing the tea for too long or using the wrong temperature, both of which can make it bitter.
You can use any black tea for this recipe, like English Breakfast tea, which is a blend of black teas.
Tea and dried rose buds or petals are steeped together in hot water, then sweetened and cooled down.
RELATED: Rose Tea
Recipe Highlights
- 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.
- The rose buds are split in half so their flavor can fully infuse into the tea.
RELATED: Lavender Iced Tea
Ingredient Notes
- Black tea: Any black tea can work for this drink, like English Breakfast tea. Use tea bags or tea sachets to make cleaning 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 works.
- Water: To make the best tasting iced tea, use 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.
RELATED: Lemon Iced Tea
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 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.
Tea bags or sachets make 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.
RELATED: Iced Matcha Rose Latte
Expert Tips
- Rose syrup can be used in place of the rose buds and sugar in the recipe.
- Instead of sugar, sweeten the tea with syrups like hibiscus and strawberry for additional flavor.
- 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.
RELATED: 30 Refreshing Iced Tea Recipes
Questions You May Have
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.
While rose is known for having a calming effect, this recipe contains black tea, which is caffeinated, so it’s unlikely to make you sleepy.
Rose iced tea can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Related
- Strawberry Iced Tea
- Sweet Tea
- Peach Iced Tea
- Raspberry Iced Tea
- Iced Green Tea
- Chamomile Iced Tea
- Rose Lemonade
- Pineapple Iced Tea
- 5 Benefits of Drinking Rose Tea
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Rose Iced Tea
Equipment
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.
- Tea bags and sachets make 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. For this recipe, you’ll need 1 tablespoon of loose tea.
- 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.
- Use the correct temperature and don’t oversteep the tea. The longer you brew it, the more astringent and bitter black tea gets.
- Rose syrup can be used in place of the rose buds and sugar in the recipe.
- Instead of sugar, sweeten the tea with syrups like hibiscus and strawberry for additional flavor.
- 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.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
