Your Only Naturally Decaf Iced Tea: The Iced Passion Tango
For customers seeking a naturally caffeine-free iced tea from the standard menu, the Iced Passion Tango® Tea is the definitive answer. This vibrant, magenta-colored beverage is not made from traditional tea leaves (like black or green tea) but is instead a herbal infusion. It features a delicious, tropical blend of hibiscus, apple, and lemongrass. Hand-shaken with ice, it delivers a tart and refreshing flavor without any caffeine whatsoever.
Customizing Your Decaf Experience
One of the best things about the Iced Passion Tango Tea is its versatility. While it's delightful on its own, you can easily customize it to create a variety of flavors and textures. The most popular modification is the Iced Passion Tango Tea Lemonade, which adds a zesty punch and sweetness.
Here are some other popular ways to customize your drink:
- Add Flavor Syrups: Ask for a pump of vanilla, peach, or raspberry syrup for a sweeter, more complex flavor profile.
- Combine with Juices: For extra fruitiness, you can request a splash of apple or peach juice.
- Make it Creamy: To create a creamy, fruit-flavored drink, you can substitute the lemonade with coconut milk or a splash of sweet cream.
- Get it Unsweetened: The standard Iced Passion Tango Tea is unsweetened, so you can enjoy its natural, tart flavor without any added sugar.
Are Other Starbucks Iced Teas Caffeinated?
Yes. It is important to remember that all other standard iced teas at Starbucks—including black, green, and matcha—contain caffeine. This is due to the natural caffeine content found in black and green tea leaves. For this reason, you cannot simply request a “decaf iced green tea” in the same way you can order a decaf coffee. Your only true iced tea options without caffeine are the herbal varieties.
Other Iced Herbal Tea Possibilities
While the Iced Passion Tango Tea is the only naturally decaf iced tea on the main menu, Starbucks does offer other herbal teas that are brewed hot but can be served iced upon request. These include:
- Mint Majesty® Herbal Tea: A soothing blend of mint and a hint of lemon verbena. Ask your barista to brew it hot and then pour it over ice.
- Peach Tranquility® Herbal Tea: A mellow and fruity herbal blend featuring peach, pineapple, and chamomile. Similar to the Mint Majesty, ask for it brewed hot and then iced.
Comparing Starbucks Iced Tea Options: Caffeinated vs. Decaf
This table provides a quick overview of the most common iced tea options at Starbucks, highlighting their caffeine content to help you make an informed choice.
| Feature | Iced Passion Tango® Tea | Iced Black Tea | Iced Green Tea | Mint Majesty® Herbal Tea (Iced) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caffeine Level | 0 mg (Caffeine-Free) | ~25-30 mg (Grande) | ~25 mg (Grande) | 0 mg (Caffeine-Free) |
| Base | Herbal Infusion | Black Tea Leaves | Green Tea Leaves | Herbal Infusion |
| Flavor Profile | Tart, fruity, and tropical | Bold, brisk, and slightly malty | Light, grassy, and refreshing | Cool, minty, and smooth |
| Customization | Lemonade, syrups, and milks | Lemonade and syrups | Lemonade and syrups | Sweeteners or milk (post-brewing) |
| Availability | Standard, year-round menu | Standard, year-round menu | Standard, year-round menu | Available, but brewed hot first |
How to Order a Decaf Iced Tea at Starbucks
Ordering a decaf iced tea at Starbucks is straightforward if you know what to ask for. The simplest method is to order the Iced Passion Tango Tea by name, with any additions you desire, like lemonade or a flavor syrup. If you prefer one of the other herbal teas, remember to specify how you want it prepared to ensure it's served cold.
Ordering Instructions:
- Iced Passion Tango: Simply ask for "an iced passion tango tea" or "an iced passion tango tea lemonade." Specify your size (Tall, Grande, Venti, or Trenta) and whether you want it sweetened.
- Iced Herbal Tea from Hot Bag: Ask for a specific herbal tea, such as "a Venti Mint Majesty tea, brewed hot and then put over ice." You can then customize with a pump of sweetener or milk if you like. The brewing process takes slightly longer, but it's an excellent way to get a different caffeine-free flavor.
Conclusion: Your Decaf Iced Tea Awaits
When you're looking for what iced tea is decaf at Starbucks, the Iced Passion Tango Tea is your most reliable and readily available choice. Its natural herbal base offers a delicious, fruity, and tropical flavor without any caffeine, making it an ideal option for any time of day. For those who prefer other herbal flavors, you can also ask your barista to brew and ice the hot Mint Majesty or Peach Tranquility teas. By knowing your options and how to order them, you can enjoy a refreshing and satisfying drink without compromising your caffeine goals. Explore more delicious possibilities, and create your perfect decaf iced tea today.
Where to find other Starbucks nutritional information
For official nutrition facts and menu details, visit the Starbucks website: https://www.starbucks.com/menu
What Iced Tea is Decaf at Starbucks: Quick Facts
- Iced Passion Tango is Decaf: The primary and most common decaf iced tea at Starbucks is the Iced Passion Tango, an herbal blend of hibiscus, apple, and lemongrass.
- Other Teas Are Caffeinated: Standard black and green iced teas at Starbucks contain natural caffeine and are not decaf.
- Customize Your Passion Tango: This tea can be enjoyed plain, or modified into the popular Iced Passion Tango Tea Lemonade, with additional sweeteners or milks.
- Other Herbal Options Exist: You can request other naturally caffeine-free herbal teas, such as Mint Majesty and Peach Tranquility, to be brewed hot and then served iced.
- Ordering is Simple: To ensure you get the right drink, simply specify the Iced Passion Tango Tea or ask for a hot herbal tea to be poured over ice.
- No Decaf Cold Brew: The cold brew concentrate used at Starbucks does not have a decaf option for cold drinks.
- Focus on Herbal Blends: The key to finding a decaf iced tea is to look for herbal teas, as these are made from botanicals instead of traditional tea leaves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Is Starbucks' iced green tea decaf? Answer: No, Starbucks' iced green tea is not decaf. It is made from a green tea concentrate that naturally contains caffeine. If you need a caffeine-free iced tea, opt for the herbal Iced Passion Tango Tea instead.
Question: Can I order a decaf iced tea latte at Starbucks? Answer: You cannot order a standard decaf iced tea latte because the bases for chai and matcha both contain caffeine. However, you can order a caffeine-free tea latte by asking for the hot herbal tea bags (like Mint Majesty or Peach Tranquility) to be steeped and combined with steamed or cold milk.
Question: What are the main ingredients in the Iced Passion Tango Tea? Answer: The Iced Passion Tango Tea is an herbal infusion with a blend of hibiscus flowers, apple, and lemongrass. It also gets its vibrant color from fruit juice extract.
Question: Is the Refreshers base at Starbucks caffeine-free? Answer: No, the Refreshers base contains caffeine because it is made with green coffee extract. This means any iced Refresher drink is not decaf.
Question: Can I get any hot herbal tea iced? Answer: Yes, you can ask a barista to prepare any of the hot herbal teas, such as Mint Majesty or Peach Tranquility, by brewing them hot and then pouring them over ice. This is a great way to access more decaf iced flavors.
Question: Does the Iced Passion Tango Tea have sugar? Answer: The standard Iced Passion Tango Tea is unsweetened and has zero sugar. The Iced Passion Tango Tea Lemonade, however, contains sugar from the lemonade base.
Question: What other caffeine-free iced drinks are at Starbucks besides tea? Answer: Beyond iced teas, other popular caffeine-free iced options at Starbucks include the Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino, Blended Strawberry Lemonade, and various steamers.
Question: Can I get the Iced Passion Tango with coconut milk? Answer: Yes, you can customize the Iced Passion Tango Tea by replacing the lemonade with coconut milk to create a creamy, dairy-free, and caffeine-free drink.
Question: How can I sweeten my decaf iced tea if I don't want lemonade? Answer: You can sweeten your unsweetened Iced Passion Tango Tea by adding pumps of Classic, Vanilla, or any other flavor syrup available, or by adding honey.
