Iced Tea Guide: Our Picks for Refreshing Summer Drinks

When the temperature rises, there's only one thing on our minds: finding the perfect refreshing drink. Tired of overly sweet sodas and fruit juices? Ready-to-drink iced tea is the ideal alternative. But with shelves overflowing with new options, it can be tough to choose between classic tastes, exotic flavours, and sugar-free versions.

Don't worry! Our editorial team has broken down the options for you. This guide is designed to help you find the cold tea that will delight your taste buds, whether for a solo break on the go or for drinks with friends.

How to Choose the Right Iced Tea??

Before diving into our selection, here are three key points to check to ensure you make the right choice.

1. Mind the Sugar: Read the Labels!

This is often the number one criterion. The sugar content can turn a thirst-quenching drink into a calorie bomb. Fortunately, brands have stepped up their game.

• Sweetened versions: For an indulgent treat, they offer a full-bodied and comforting taste.
• Sugar-free versions: Ideal if you're health-conscious or prefer purer flavours. Sugar-free iced tea often uses sweeteners to maintain a pleasant taste without the calories. A quick look at the ingredients list will help you spot hidden sugars and sweeteners (acesulfame K, sucralose, etc.).

2. Peach, Lemon, or Lychee? Dare to Try New Flavours

Traditional lemon iced tea has had its day (almost). Today, brands are competing with incredible creativity to transport us.

• The timeless classics: Peach and lemon remain sure bets. You can't go wrong with these familiar and ultra-thirst-quenching flavours.
• The exotic escapes: Craving a getaway? Let yourself be surprised by a mango iced tea, a lychee iced tea, or more adventurous pairings like green tea-watermelon. A journey for your taste buds is guaranteed.

3. The Format: A Matter of Occasion

The packaging should fit your daily life and needs.

• On-the-go formats (250 to 400?ml cans and small cartons): Perfect for one person. They slip easily into a bag for a refreshing break at the office, after a workout, or during your commute.
• Large formats (1.5?L bottles): Unbeatable for home, family meals, or picnics. This is also often the most economical solution per litre.

Recommended Iced Tea Picks

To guide you, here are a few gems that caught our eye for their taste, format, or ingredients.

Don Simon Mango Tea PET 1.5?L

Key Selling Point Zero sugar, zero calories. This drink, made with tea extract and mango flavour, gets straight to the point, all in a very practical family-sized format.

Highlights

• Zero sugar, zero calories: The perfect partner for the health-conscious.
• Family size: The 1.5?L bottle is perfect for sharing.
• Exotic taste: The mango flavour adds a touch of escapism.

Who is it for? For families and anyone looking for a guilt-free daily treat to keep in the fridge.

Oishi Green Tea Watermelon 400?ml

Key Selling Point Oishi has created a daring and successful pairing: the freshness of green tea combined with the summery, juicy taste of watermelon. A drink that is truly off the beaten path.

Highlights

• Original flavour: The green tea-watermelon combination is as surprising as it is thirst-quenching.
• On-the-go format: The 400?ml bottle fits anywhere for an impromptu refreshing break.
• Green tea base: A welcome alternative to traditional black tea.

Who is it for? For flavour adventurers who want a unique, on-the-go drink to hydrate in style. Warning: The manufacturer states that the Allura Red AC (E129) colouring "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children."

Kirin Afternoon Lemon Tea 250?ml

Key Selling Point A great classic, reimagined by the Japanese brand Kirin. This lemon iced tea is infused with 15% Nuwara Eliya black tea, a variety renowned for its fruity notes. The promise: an authentic taste thanks to an extraction process that preserves all the aromas.

Highlights

• Authentic taste: A perfect balance between the strength of black tea and the zest of lemon.
• Premium ingredients: The choice of a single-origin tea (Nuwara Eliya) gives it real character.
• Carton format: The small 250?ml carton is ultra-lightweight and convenient.

Who is it for? For lemon iced tea purists looking for a pronounced black tea flavour in an easy-to-carry drink.

POKKA Iced Lychee Tea 300?ml

Key Selling Point A bestseller that blends freshly brewed black tea (24%) with real lychee juice. Its sweet, floral, and highly aromatic flavour explains its immense popularity.

Highlights

• Captivating aroma: The lychee dominates with its fruity and floral notes for instant enjoyment.
• Fat-free: A light drink, despite its sweet profile.
• Can format: The 300?ml can is the iconic format for on-the-go breaks.

Who is it for? For those with a sweet tooth who love intense exotic flavours. The perfect option for an indulgent and ultra-refreshing break.

Want to Explore Other Options?

Is your favourite not in this selection? No worries, our catalogue is full of other gems. Flavoured waters, fruit juices, or other varieties of iced tea: there's something for everyone.

? Discover our full range of cold drinks and find your new favourite flavour.

Your Questions About Iced Tea

How can I be sure I'm choosing a sugar-free iced tea?

The key is to decode the label. Take a look at the nutritional information, specifically the "Carbohydrates" and "of which sugars" lines. A "0?g" value is your best friend. Also, be sure to scan the ingredients list to hunt down sugar (glucose-fructose syrup, etc.) and spot any sweeteners (E950, E955...).

Is iced tea the same as cold brew tea?

Not exactly. Classic "iced tea" is brewed hot and then rapidly cooled, often with ice. "Cold brew tea," on the other hand, steeps slowly for hours in cold water. This gentle method often results in a less bitter and more subtle flavour. Most ready-to-drink commercial teas are traditional iced teas.

Where can I buy iced tea online?

Online platforms like Joybuy offer a huge selection of brands and flavours. It's the ideal way to easily compare products, formats, and prices from the comfort of your sofa, and have them delivered to your door.