Fragrant orange-blossom water and the gentle bitterness of black tea meet bright, fresh orange juice to create a cooling drink that tastes like Mediterranean spring in a glass. Serve it over plenty of ice for an elegant non-alcoholic refresher at brunch, garden parties, or any sultry afternoon.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Combines citrus tang, delicate floral aroma, and mellow tea tannins in one sip.
Requires only a handful of pantry staples—no specialised equipment.
Naturally sweetened with honey, yet easy to adjust for any diet.
Scales effortlessly for pitchers and dispensers, making it ideal for entertaining.
Keeps for three days in the refrigerator, so you can prepare it in advance.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

4 cups (1 L) water, just off the boil
4 tsp loose black tea or 4 black-tea bags
1 cup (240 ml) freshly squeezed orange juice
2–3 Tbsp orange-blossom honey (to taste)
2 tsp orange-blossom water
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional, enhances floral notes)
Ice cubes, for serving
Orange slices, for garnish

Directions

Steep the tea. Bring the water to a boil, then let it stand for 30 seconds. Pour over the tea in a heat-proof jug, cover, and steep for 4 minutes.
Sweeten. Remove the leaves or bags. While the tea is hot, stir in the honey until fully dissolved.
Add flavourings. Stir in the orange juice, orange-blossom water, and vanilla.
Chill. Allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour until cold.
Serve. Fill tall glasses with ice, pour in the chilled tea, and garnish with fresh orange slices.

Servings and timing

Yield: 6 servings (about 250 ml each)
Active preparation: 10 minutes
Steep: 4 minutes
Chill: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Variations

Green-tea base – Substitute half or all of the black tea with green tea for a lighter profile.
Moroccan touch – Add a small handful of mint during steeping and strain it out with the tea.
Sugar-free – Replace honey with a few drops of liquid stevia; adjust to taste.
Sparkling – Top each glass with a splash of chilled soda water just before serving.
Spiked – Stir 30 ml of vodka or gin into each glass for an adult version.

Storage/Reheating

Store the prepared tea in a covered jug in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir gently before pouring, as the citrus may settle. Reheating is not recommended; the floral notes diminish with heat. Enjoy it cold or at room temperature.

FAQs

What does orange-blossom water taste like?

It imparts a delicate, slightly sweet floral aroma reminiscent of orange tree blossoms without noticeable citrus acidity.

Can I use bottled orange juice?

Fresh juice provides the brightest flavour, but a high-quality not-from-concentrate bottled juice will work if fresh oranges are unavailable.

Does this drink contain caffeine?

Yes. Black tea supplies roughly 40–45 mg of caffeine per serving. Use decaffeinated black tea to make it caffeine-free.

Where can I buy orange-blossom water?

It is commonly found in Middle-Eastern or Mediterranean groceries, well-stocked baking aisles, and reputable online spice retailers.

Can I sweeten with sugar instead of honey?

Certainly. Dissolve 2–3 Tbsp granulated sugar in the hot tea during step 2, tasting and adjusting as needed.

How long can I leave the tea at room temperature?

For food-safety reasons, limit unrefrigerated time to two hours total. Prompt chilling preserves flavour and inhibits bacterial growth.

Can I make a hot version?

Yes. Omit the chilling step and serve the sweetened, flavoured tea immediately in heat-proof mugs.

Is orange-blossom water the same as orange extract?

No. Orange extract is concentrated peel oil and tastes citrusy; orange-blossom water is distilled from flowers and tastes floral.

Can I use dried orange blossoms instead of the hydrosol?

Steep one tablespoon of dried blossoms with the tea, then strain. The flavour will be subtler than hydrosol but pleasantly herbal.

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

Absolutely. Multiply all ingredients proportionally and steep the tea loose in a large pot or dispenser for easy scaling.

Conclusion

Orange Blossom Iced Tea marries sweet floral notes with bright citrus and classic tea bitterness, providing an elegant refreshment that is deceptively simple to prepare. Keep a chilled pitcher on hand, and you will always have a sophisticated, non-alcoholic option ready for guests—or for a quiet moment on a warm afternoon.