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A tall glass pitcher of refreshing Lemony Pineapple Iced Tea, filled with ice and garnished with a fresh mint sprig.

Lemony Pineapple Iced Tea

Rebecca Blumer
A bright, sweet-tart pitcher tea with black tea, pineapple, lemon, and mint. It is easy to make ahead, chill well, and serve ice cold for parties or warm-weather gatherings.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Beverages
Servings 20 servings
Calories 154 kcal

Equipment

  • Stockpot
  • Pitchers

Ingredients
 

  • 16 cups water
  • 24 tea bags
  • 6 fresh mint sprigs
  • 3-1/3 cups sugar
  • 3 cups unsweetened pineapple juice
  • 1 cup lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • I start by bringing the water to a boil in a stockpot, then I take it off the heat and add the tea bags. I cover the pot and let the tea steep for 10 minutes. The aroma at this stage is strong and clean. I always leave the bags alone while they steep, because squeezing them later can bring out bitterness.
  • Once the 10 minutes are up, I remove the tea bags, add the mint sprigs, and cover the pot again for 5 minutes. Then I discard the mint and stir in the sugar, pineapple juice, and lemon juice until the sugar dissolves. You’ll notice the color shift a little as the juices go in, and the scent turns bright and tropical fast. Honestly, this is the moment when it starts smelling like summer in a pitcher.
  • I pour the finished tea into pitchers or one large covered container, cover it well, and refrigerate it until fully cold. When I’m ready to serve, I pour it over ice if I want it extra frosty. Give it time to chill completely. The flavor tastes more blended and less sharp once the tea is thoroughly cold.

Notes

Tea Tip: Do not squeeze the tea bags after steeping, or the tea can taste harsher and more bitter.
Chilling Tip: Let the tea chill completely before serving for the smoothest flavor and the clearest pitcher.
Make-Ahead Tip: Store the tea covered in pitchers or a large covered container in the refrigerator so it keeps its fresh citrus-mint aroma.
Variation: For a softer tea finish, try a cold-brew version as an optional method. For a caffeine-free pitcher, use decaf black tea or rooibos.
Sweetness Tip: If you want it less sweet, reduce the sweetness gradually in your next batch instead of correcting with extra lemon.
Serving Tip: For parties, serve the tea from a dispenser and keep ice separate so the whole batch does not get watered down.
Nutrition information is an estimate based on common ingredients and serving sizes. Values may vary depending on brands, portions, and substitutions.
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