Meet your new summertime favorite: Orange Rosemary Iced Tea. This vibrant, aromatic beverage combines the boldness of black tea with zesty orange and the earthy fragrance of fresh rosemary, elevated by a hint of ginger. It’s as refreshing as it is sophisticated, perfect for everything from sunny backyard barbecues to quiet moments on the porch. There’s something magical about how these simple, real ingredients come together to create such a memorable drink—bursting with color, character, and unmistakable flavor.

Orange Rosemary Iced Tea Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Part of what makes Orange Rosemary Iced Tea so appealing is the beautifully short ingredient list—each item plays a crucial role in delivering a balance of zest, warmth, sweetness, and savoriness. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need and why you shouldn’t skip a single one!

Water: The simple base that lets all the other flavors shine through—use filtered water for best results!

Black tea bags: Offers depth and strength, grounding the lively citrus and herbal notes.
Large orange (juiced and zested): Both the juice and zest double the citrus impact, giving freshness and a sunny color.

Fresh rosemary sprigs (thinly sliced): Adds an aromatic, woodsy twist that pairs beautifully with citrus.
Fresh ginger: Brings subtle warmth and a gentle sneak of spice to keep things interesting.

Sugar (2-3 tbsp, to taste): Enhances the overall experience, allowing both the tart and herbal notes to pop.
Ice cubes: Absolutely essential for that frosty, thirst-quenching finish.
Orange slices and rosemary sprigs for garnish (optional): Guaranteed to make your iced tea look as irresistible as it tastes.

How to Make Orange Rosemary Iced Tea

Step 1: Prep the Flavor Infusion

Begin by bringing 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium-sized pot. As soon as bubbles reach the surface, take the water off the heat—this gentle touch helps to coax out all the beautiful flavors without turning the tea bitter. Drop in the black tea bags, sliced rosemary sprigs, fragrant orange zest, and the fresh ginger. Letting everything mingle together at this stage is key for a layered, aromatic base.

Step 2: Steep, Sweeten, and Cool

Let your flavorful mixture steep for 5 to 7 minutes—just long enough to infuse the tea with bright citrus, savory rosemary, and spicy ginger. After that, fish out the tea bags, and while the tea’s still warm, stir in your sugar. This ensures a smooth blend and no gritty bits. Let the mixture cool slightly on the counter so it’s ready for the next step.

Step 3: Strain and Add the Fresh Orange Juice

Once the steeping has worked its magic and the tea is warm (not hot), strain out the rosemary sprigs, orange zest, and ginger slices. Now, pour in the freshly squeezed orange juice. This final citrus burst transforms the tea from simply refreshing to absolutely crave-worthy, adding that just-squeezed, juicy brightness.

Step 4: Chill Thoroughly

To bring out the best in Orange Rosemary Iced Tea, let the mixture come to room temperature, then pop it into the fridge until it’s thoroughly chilled. This helps all the flavors meld and intensifies the tea’s invigorating character. No shortcuts—the colder it is, the more vibrant and thirst-quenching your drink will be.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

When you’re ready to serve, fill a tall glass generously with ice cubes and pour the chilled Orange Rosemary Iced Tea over the top. If you want to make your presentation pop, add a slice of orange and a little sprig of rosemary to each glass. Raise a glass and savor how all those simple ingredients sing together!

How to Serve Orange Rosemary Iced Tea

Garnishes

Don’t underestimate the power of a smart garnish! A twist of orange slice and a fresh sprig of rosemary make your Orange Rosemary Iced Tea look utterly irresistible and add a little aromatic boost with every sip. If you’re feeling extra, a few thin slices of fresh ginger look beautiful and hint at the tea’s secret ingredient.

Side Dishes

This iced tea is a perfect companion to light summer fare. Pair it with a fresh fruit salad, simple sandwiches, or a crisp garden salad for lunch. At a picnic, Orange Rosemary Iced Tea shines alongside grilled veggies or delicate finger foods—its lively, balanced flavors make almost any snack better!

Creative Ways to Present

Make a pitcher for a party and let guests help themselves—just be sure to include a handful of floating orange wheels and rosemary sprigs for visual drama. For a special twist, try freezing orange juice and rosemary in ice cube trays; these stunning cubes keep drinks cold without diluting, and add an extra flavor punch as they melt.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any Orange Rosemary Iced Tea left at the end of the day (rare, but possible!), pour it into a clean, airtight jar or bottle and refrigerate. It keeps beautifully for up to three days, and the flavors only deepen, giving each glass an extra touch of intensity.

Freezing

Take your iced tea game to the next level by freezing leftovers into popsicles or ice cubes. The cubes can be used to chill future batches of Orange Rosemary Iced Tea without watering it down—plus, they look gorgeous and add flair to any glass.

Reheating

While Orange Rosemary Iced Tea is meant to be enjoyed cold, you can gently warm it if you ever crave a cozy, aromatic version. Pour some into a mug and heat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, just until warm—not boiling—to keep the delicate citrus and herbal notes intact.

FAQs

Can I use green tea instead of black tea?

Absolutely! Green tea creates a lighter, more floral base, which pairs beautifully with orange and rosemary. Just steep for a slightly shorter time (about 3 to 4 minutes) to avoid bitterness.

How can I make Orange Rosemary Iced Tea without sugar?

Feel free to swap in honey, agave, or your favorite natural sweetener for a different touch of sweetness. You can even skip the sweetener entirely if you like your drinks tart and lively.

Can I prepare Orange Rosemary Iced Tea ahead for a party?

Definitely! Make a batch up to two days before your gathering and store it in the fridge in a covered pitcher. Add the garnishes and ice just before serving for the freshest flavor and best presentation.

Is there a way to amp up the citrus flavor?

For extra zing, toss in a little lemon or lime juice along with the orange, or even add a few citrus slices during steeping. The more zest, the more summery and bright your tea will taste.

What other herbs would work in this iced tea?

If you love experimenting, try swapping the rosemary for fresh mint, basil, or thyme. Each herb brings its own unique note, transforming your Orange Rosemary Iced Tea into a new favorite every time!

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been searching for a show-stopping beverage that’s as easy as it is impressive, Orange Rosemary Iced Tea is the recipe to try. Trust me, this bright and herbal iced tea will find its way into all your warm-weather moments. Give it a whirl—you’ll discover just how much joy a little twist on classic iced tea can bring!

Orange Rosemary Iced Tea Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 27 reviews

Author: Mariam
Total Time: 15 minutes

Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Refreshing and aromatic, this Orange Rosemary Iced Tea is a delightful twist on a classic beverage. The combination of citrusy orange, earthy rosemary, and zesty ginger creates a unique and flavorful drink that is perfect for any time of the year.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Tea:

4 cups water
4 black tea bags
3 sprigs of fresh rosemary (thinly sliced)

1 large orange (juiced and zested)
1 tbsp fresh ginger
2–3 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)

For Serving:

Ice cubes
Orange slices and rosemary sprigs for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Bring Water to a Boil: In a medium-sized pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.

Steep the Tea: Remove the pot from the heat and add the black tea bags, rosemary, orange zest, and ginger. Let it steep for 5-7 minutes.
Add Sugar and Cool: Remove the tea bags and stir in sugar. Let the tea cool slightly.
Strain and Add Orange Juice: Strain out the rosemary, zest, and ginger. Stir in the freshly squeezed orange juice.

Chill and Serve: Cool the tea to room temperature, then refrigerate until fully chilled. Serve over ice cubes and garnish with orange slices and rosemary sprigs.

Notes

You can adjust the sweetness of the tea by adding more or less sugar to suit your taste preferences.
For a stronger rosemary flavor, you can muddle the rosemary sprigs slightly before adding them to the tea.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Beverages

Method: Boiling, Steeping, Chilling
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup

Calories: 45
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 5mg

Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g

Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 1g

Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: Orange Rosemary Iced Tea, Iced Tea Recipe, Citrus Tea, Summer Drink, Refreshing Beverage