Pineapple Iced Tea Recipe — Tropical Summer Drink

A fruity iced tea that is energizing and refreshing. Learn how to make pineapple iced tea in about 5 minutes using just four simple ingredients. This quick recipe produces a bright, tropical iced tea that’s perfect for warm days, afternoon pick-me-ups, or serving at a casual gathering.

Pineapple Iced Tea in clear glass with straw.

Homemade Pineapple Iced Tea

This pineapple iced tea combines brewed green tea with pure pineapple juice for a light, fruity beverage. It takes just a few minutes to prepare and requires minimal equipment. The natural sweetness and tropical flavor of pineapple juice complement the gentle vegetal notes of green tea, resulting in a bright and balanced iced tea with a subtle caffeine lift.

The recipe is intentionally simple: green tea, hot water, pineapple juice, and ice. No extra sweeteners are needed if you use 100% pineapple juice without added sugar. The drinks pour over ice and are ready to serve immediately, making this an ideal last-minute refreshment.

Note from Jee

I prefer using tea sachets for iced tea because they make cleanup effortless, but loose leaf tea will work just fine. If you substitute loose leaf tea, measure about 1 tablespoon to replace two sachets (one sachet typically holds about 1½ teaspoons).

There’s no need to use an expensive, delicate green tea for this recipe. The pineapple juice will dominate subtle tea nuances, so a straightforward, everyday green tea is appropriate and economical.

Recipe Summary

This refreshing iced tea uses pineapple juice, green tea, hot water, and ice.
There’s no need to chill the brewed tea ahead of time: combine the brewed tea with pineapple juice and pour over ice to cool instantly.
The pineapple juice provides natural sweetness, so no additional sugar is required for most tastes.
The recipe yields one 16-ounce serving, but it scales easily for larger batches when serving guests.

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients for Pineapple Iced Tea measured in cups and bowls.

Green tea: Tea bags or sachets are convenient and keep cleanup simple. If using loose tea, strain before mixing with juice.
Pineapple juice: Choose 100% pineapple juice with no added sugar for the best balance and natural sweetness.
Water: Filtered water produces a cleaner-tasting tea. Use fresh, good-tasting water for boiling and for ice.
Ice: Clear, fresh-tasting ice made with filtered water keeps the drink from tasting watered down or stale.

Scroll to the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and step-by-step instructions.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Hot water being poured into teapot holding green tea bags.

Step 1: Place green tea sachets in a teapot and add 1/4 cup hot water to wet the leaves and begin infusion. Heat water to a temperature below boiling—around 175°F (80°C) is ideal for green tea to avoid bitterness.

Green tea bags steeping in teapot with lid.

Step 2: Cover and let the tea steep for about 2–3 minutes. Remove the sachets promptly to prevent oversteeping, which can make the tea taste bitter.

Pineapple juiced being poured into teapot into brewed green tea.

Step 3: Add 3/4 cup pineapple juice to the brewed tea and stir to fully combine. Taste and adjust if you prefer a stronger tea flavor or more pineapple character.

Pineapple Iced Tea being poured into clear cup filled with ice.

Step 4: Pour the tea and juice mixture over a glass filled with ice. Garnish as desired and serve immediately for the best taste and texture.

Tea Sommelier’s Notes

Avoid boiling water for green tea

Using water that is too hot can cause green tea to release bitter compounds. Heating water to around 175°F (80°C) gives a cleaner, sweeter cup that pairs nicely with fruit juices. If you do not have a thermometer, let boiling water cool for a minute before pouring.

Watch the steep time

Green tea becomes bitter if steeped too long. Set a timer and aim for 2 to 3 minutes. Short steeping preserves the tea’s delicate flavor and keeps the beverage bright when combined with pineapple.

Use any tea you like

If you prefer, substitute black tea or oolong for a stronger, deeper flavor. Black tea usually benefits from a slightly longer steep of around 4–5 minutes and will add more body to the drink.

Make ahead tips

You can prepare pineapple iced tea in advance and refrigerate it for up to three days. Keep it covered and stir or shake gently before serving. Add fresh ice and any garnishes just before serving so the drink remains crisp.

Expert Tips

Add a splash of flavored simple syrup such as strawberry or ginger for extra complexity—remember this will increase sweetness.
Fresh, canned, or bottled pineapple juice all work; choose unsweetened options to avoid an overly sugary drink.
Garnish with fresh herbs like mint or basil, or add a thin pineapple slice on the rim for a pretty presentation.

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If you try this Pineapple Iced Tea recipe, please leave a star rating and share your experience in the comments. Feedback helps others decide whether to try the recipe and lets me know how you liked it.

5 from 1 vote