How to Make a Frozen Iced Tea Slushy: With Variations

Who doesn’t love an ice cold slushy on a scorching hot day? Well, for those who do, you must try out this ultimate Frozen Iced Tea Sweet Slushy! This fruity refresher recipe is super simple to make, and perfect for ice tea and slushy lovers alike. All you need is a few simple ingredients and a blender. Find out more, and lets get started!

Frozen Iced Tea Sweet Slushy

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Have you ever tried one those colourful slushies from the gas station, or those fancy ice blended drink from Starbucks? Well, this frozen iced tea sweet slushy recipe takes inspiration from these beverages to give you a delightfully sweet ice blended texture with added tea! And you’d be surprised how simple and inexpensive it is to make!

My favourite part about this frozen iced tea slushy is the vibrant color when you add fruit puré, fruit pieces, or even fruit tea. This is usually what gives it that eye-catching visual appeal, which is always a crowd-pleaser! Much like ice blended drinks, all you need is a blender, a freezer, and some ice cube trays to get started. And once you’ve got the recipe down, you’ll be making this yummy slushy for all occasions, like: backyard barbecues, parties, or lazy afternoons in the sun.

Forget the tea, why not learn how to make the classic slushy at home too?

Quick History Lesson

Did you know that iced tea dates back to the 19th century? Legend has it that Richard Blechynden, an Englishman, introduced iced tea at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. He was selling hot tea, but the sweltering heat drove visitors away. Then, clever Richard poured the tea over ice, and voilà—the birth of iced tea! Our sweet frozen iced tea slushy takes this classic to a whole new level!

1. How to Make a Basic Frozen Iced Tea Slushy (with lemon)

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To get started, you will need a few basic pieces of equipment, and a few easy-to-find ingredients. Most notably, you will need a blender capable of crushing ice (like this one), and some ice cube trays. Once you have these, all you will need are some basic ingredients, such as: tea, lemon juice, and sugar. However, if you want to get more creative and colorful, you can add additional ingredients like fruit puree, fruit pieces, mint leaves, etc (more on that later).

For this frozen iced tea slushy recipe, we will be making enough for a 3 or 4 drinks. However, feel free to adjust the quantities accordingly if you want to only make 1 drink. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:

Instructions:

1. Brew the Tea:
   • Firstly, start by brewing 4 cups of your favorite tea—black, green, or herbal. Steep it a little longer than usual to intensify the flavor.
   • A strong tea base ensures that the frozen iced tea slushy won’t taste watered down once we add ice.
2. Sweeten the Tea:
   • Once your tea has cooled, add 1/2 cup of sugar (adjust to taste). Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
   • Sweetening the tea will balance the tartness from the lemon juice and enhances the overall flavor. Check out the best sweeteners for tea to mix it up!
3. Prepare the Ice:
   • Pour the sweetened tea into ice cube trays and freeze until solid (about 4-6 hours or overnight).
   • These tea ice cubes will form the foundation of our slushy, keeping it frosty without diluting the taste. Just make sure you have enough ice cubes!
4. Blend the Slushy:
   • Place the tea ice cubes in a blender.
   • Then, add 1/2 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice and any fruit puree you like (optional).
   • Blend until smooth and slushy. Adjust the consistency by adding a splash of cold water or extra tea if needed.
   • Obviously, you need to blend the ice cubes with lemon juice and fruit puree to create that delightful slushy texture.
5. Serve:
   • Pour your frozen iced tea slushy into glasses.
   • Finally, you can garnish with fresh mint leaves and lemon slices or fruit pieces.
   • The mint and fruit can add visual appeal and a burst of freshness!

2. Fruity Flavor Variations to Try:

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Now you’ve got the basics down, you can get creative! Try adding some flavorful twists by adding fruity ingredients such as fruit juices, puree’s, fruit pieces, or whatever you can think of! Here are a few fun ideas to try:

1. Frozen Berry Iced Tea Slushy:

To begin with, a delicious berry variation can add a burst of fruity sweetness and antioxidants. Plus, the color is Instagram-worthy! See below:

1. Ingredients:
   • To begin with, you’ll need mixed berry puree (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or a medley)
   • Tea ice cubes (from our base recipe)
2. How to Make It:
   • Firstly, add a generous spoonful of mixed berry puree to the blender along with the tea ice cubes.
   • Blend until the berries are fully incorporated, creating a vibrant pink or purple slushy.
   • Finally, serve with a sprig of mint and a lemon slice for extra pizzazz.

2. Frozen Citrus Mint Iced Tea Slushy:

Another simple, yet mouth-watering variation to try with 2 easy-to-find ingredients; orange and mint. In fact, this was inspired by an orange and mint iced tea recipe to make this zesty orange pair beautifully with the mint, creating a bright, invigorating and icy flavor! See below:

1. Ingredients:
   • Fresh orange juice (about 1/2 cup)
   • Fresh mint leaves
   • Tea ice cubes
2. How to Make It:
   • Firstly, squeeze fresh orange juice and add it to the blender with the tea ice cubes.
   • Secondly, toss in a handful of mint leaves for a refreshing twist.
   • Blend until you achieve a citrusy, mint-infused slushy.
   • Finally, garnish with an orange slice and mint sprig.

3. Tropical Frozen Iced Tea Slushy:

Lastly, why not try out this exotic twist of pineapple or mango (or both). Tropical fruits bring a sunny vacation vibe to your slushy. Close your eyes, sip, and imagine the beach! See below:

1. Ingredients:
   • Pineapple or mango puree (about 1/2 cup)
   • Tea ice cubes
2. How to Make It:
   • Firstly, choose your tropical fruit—pineapple or mango—and blend it into a smooth puree.
   • Secondly, combine the fruit puree with the tea ice cubes in the blender.
   • Blend until you have a tropical paradise in a glass.
   • Finally, garnish with a pineapple wedge or mango slice.

Tips and Tricks

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Lastly, before you go showing off your new-found summer drink, here are some tips and tricks to help you on your journey! These can help transform your frozen iced tea slushy into a work of art:

1. Chill Your Glasses:
   • Pop your serving glasses in the freezer for a few minutes before pouring in the slushy. Cold glasses keep your drink frosty longer.
2. Tea Variety Adventure:
   • Try experimenting with different teas! For example: Earl Grey, jasmine, or even hibiscus—each brings a unique flavor profile to your slushy. Vie this complete list of teas for inspiration.
3. Herbal Infusions:
   • Additionally, brew herbal teas like chamomile, mint, or lavender for a soothing twist. You’ll find these caffeine-free options are perfect for evenings. Likewise, perhaps you could take inspiration from this Lavender Chamomile Tea Recipe or Creamy Coconut Chamomile Tea.
4. Layered Slushy Magic:
   • Another creative and colorful tip is to create layers by alternating tea ice cubes and fruit puree in the blender. Blend each layer separately for a visually stunning slushy.
5. Frozen Fruit Garnish:
   • Moreover, freeze extra fruit pieces (like berries or citrus slices) and use them as garnish. They’ll keep your slushy chilled without diluting it.
6. Lemon Zest Rim:
   • Run a lemon wedge around the rim of your glass, then dip it in sugar or salt. It adds a zesty touch when you take that first sip.
7. Texture Play:
   • Adjust the slushy consistency by adding more or fewer ice cubes. Thicker or lighter—your call!
8. Frozen Tea Popsicles:
   • Lastly, pour leftover sweetened tea into popsicle molds and freeze. Voilà! Tea-infused popsicles for later.

Check out our guide on making popsicle ice lollies using fruit tea for another refreshing recipe!

Conclusion

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Congratulations! You’re now a certified Frozen Iced Tea Sweet Slushy pro. Enjoy, and share your delightful creations with fellow slushy enthusiasts (or keep it a secret…).

Either way, these colorful concoctions are perfect for sharing with others! Snap a photo, write a caption, and tag your friends. Let them in on the secret—the secret of turning ordinary tea into a barista-quality beverage. Invite them to experiment with flavors, garnishes, and maybe even a fancy umbrella or two.

And finally, please let us know in the comments section below if you manages to make any interesting variations; we’d love to hear them!

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