There's something about the sweet, tropical aroma of Homemade Mango Iced Tea that instantly transports you to a sunny afternoon on the porch. This refreshing drink is the perfect blend of fruity mango and bold black tea, served ice-cold with a hint of citrus.

I first whipped up a batch of this iced tea on a sweltering summer day, desperate for something cool and flavorful. With just a few simple ingredients, I ended up creating a go-to beverage that my whole family now requests on repeat during the warmer months.

This mango iced tea recipe is quick, easy, and way better than anything you can buy in a bottle. Let’s dive in!

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Mango Iced Tea

Get ready to meet your new summer staple. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or just need a midday pick-me-up, this Homemade Mango Iced Tea is as delightful as it is easy to make.

First off, it’s wonderfully refreshing. The combination of ripe mango and chilled black tea is incredibly thirst-quenching, especially with a squeeze of fresh lime or lemon to brighten things up.

It’s also surprisingly simple. All you need are a few pantry and fridge staples—tea bags, ripe mango, and a bit of sugar or honey. No fancy tools, no syrups from the store, just real ingredients.

Budget-conscious? This drink is a fraction of the cost of store-bought iced tea or juice blends, and you get total control over the sweetness and flavor.

And let’s not forget the versatility. Prefer green tea instead of black? Go for it. Want to turn it into a sparkling refresher with club soda? Done. This recipe is endlessly adaptable.

With all that in mind, let’s take a closer look at what makes this recipe tick.

Ingredients Notes

The beauty of this mango iced tea lies in its fresh, uncomplicated ingredients. Each one plays a part in building that rich, fruity, and deeply satisfying flavor profile.

Black tea is the base of this recipe, bringing a bold and slightly tannic taste that perfectly balances the sweetness of the mango. I like using classic Lipton or English Breakfast tea bags, but feel free to experiment with Earl Grey or even oolong for a floral twist.

Fresh ripe mango is where all the magic happens. You want a mango that's fragrant and yields slightly to the touch. Ataulfo or Kent varieties are particularly juicy and flavorful, but frozen mango chunks will also do in a pinch if you're out of fresh fruit.

To enhance the mango flavor, we use a homemade mango puree made by blending the mango with a bit of water or juice. It gives the tea that beautiful golden hue and tropical aroma that feels like summer in a glass.

Sugar or honey adds just enough sweetness to balance the black tea’s robustness. Start with a couple of tablespoons, then adjust to your liking once everything’s combined.

Finally, a splash of fresh lemon or lime juice adds a zesty finish that really lifts all the flavors. If you like, throw in a few slices of citrus or mint leaves when serving for a little extra flair.

No special tools needed—just a blender, saucepan, and a pitcher!

How To Make This Homemade Mango Iced Tea

Making your own mango iced tea is incredibly easy, and it comes together in just a few steps. Here’s how to do it, with some tips to make sure it turns out perfect every time.

Start by boiling about four cups of water in a medium saucepan. Once it hits a rolling boil, remove it from the heat and add your black tea bags. Let them steep for 5–7 minutes, depending on how strong you want the tea. The longer it steeps, the bolder the flavor—just don’t let it go too long, or it might turn bitter.

While the tea is steeping, peel and chop your mango. Toss the chunks into a blender with a splash of water or orange juice and blend until smooth. If you prefer a silkier drink, you can strain the puree through a fine mesh sieve, but I usually skip this step for a thicker, more tropical vibe.

Once the tea is done steeping, discard the tea bags and stir in your sweetener of choice while the tea is still warm. This helps the sugar or honey dissolve completely. Let the tea cool for about 10–15 minutes before combining.

Pour the cooled tea and mango puree into a large pitcher. Stir well until fully mixed, then add in the lemon or lime juice for that final zing. Pop the pitcher in the fridge and let it chill for at least an hour.

When ready to serve, fill glasses with ice and pour in the chilled mango tea. Garnish with fresh mint, citrus slices, or even a wedge of mango on the rim if you're feeling fancy.

The whole process takes about 30 minutes from start to finish (plus chilling time), and it’s 100% worth it.

Storage Options

One of the best things about this mango iced tea is that it stores beautifully. You can make a big batch and enjoy it all week long!

Store your mango iced tea in a sealed pitcher or jar in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 4–5 days, though the flavor is best in the first 2–3 days.

If you’ve added citrus slices or herbs for garnish, remove them before storing to prevent bitterness or overpowering flavors as they sit.

Want to save some for later? Pour the tea into ice cube trays and freeze it. These make excellent tea cubes that won’t water down your drink when served later.

To re-serve, just give the tea a good stir or shake—sometimes the mango puree settles a bit at the bottom. Serve over fresh ice, and enjoy!

Variations and Substitutions

This mango iced tea recipe is wonderfully flexible. Here are some easy swaps and creative twists to try:

If you’re not a fan of black tea, try it with green tea for a lighter, more floral flavor. Jasmine green tea is especially lovely with mango.

Want to cut down on sugar? Use stevia, monk fruit sweetener, or skip it altogether if your mango is sweet enough on its own.

For a sparkling version, mix the tea with club soda or sparkling water just before serving. It adds a fun fizz and makes it perfect for parties.

Craving a little spice? Add a few slices of fresh ginger while the tea steeps, or toss a pinch of cayenne pepper into the mango puree for a surprising kick.

Feeling tropical? Blend in some pineapple or passionfruit puree for a fruity flavor explosion. It’s like a vacation in a glass.