What tea is best for hot weather? Refreshing and hydrating brews

November 25, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2012 study from the University of Ottawa, a hot drink can actually have a greater cooling effect on the body in dry climates than a cold one, provided the sweat produced can evaporate. This surprising fact opens up the conversation about what tea is best for hot weather, whether you prefer it hot or iced for cooling relief.

Quick Summary

Different teas offer distinct cooling and hydrating benefits during hot weather. Herbal options like peppermint and hibiscus are naturally cooling, while green and white teas provide light refreshment and antioxidants. Serving temperature matters, with hot tea promoting sweating for cooling in dry climates, whereas iced tea is best in high humidity. Proper brewing and understanding each tea's properties can maximize its heat-beating potential.

Key Points

Peppermint Tea: Contains menthol, which triggers a cooling sensation, making it an excellent natural refresher for hot weather.
Hot vs. Iced Tea: In dry climates, a hot tea can cause a beneficial sweat response that cools the body through evaporation. In humid weather, iced tea offers more effective and immediate relief.
Herbal Tea Advantages: Caffeine-free herbal teas like hibiscus and rooibos are superb for hydration, providing minerals without diuretic effects.
Antioxidant Power: Green and white teas are rich in antioxidants that protect skin from sun damage and offer a mild, refreshing energy boost without overheating.
Hibiscus Tea: Known for its temperature-regulating properties and tangy flavor, this tea is a perfect alternative to sugary drinks and is packed with heart-healthy antioxidants.
Consider the Climate: The effectiveness of a hot or cold tea for cooling is highly dependent on humidity. Higher humidity makes hot tea less effective as sweat cannot evaporate efficiently.

Your Guide to The Best Cooling Teas for Summer

Summer heat often drives us toward cold, sugary beverages that can dehydrate more than they help. The world of tea, however, offers a sophisticated and healthy alternative, with options that refresh, hydrate, and even have natural cooling properties. Knowing what tea is best for hot weather depends largely on the type of tea and how you prepare it. From herbal infusions to lightly oxidized true teas, there's a perfect brew for every hot day.

The Top Contenders: Teas That Beat the Heat

Peppermint Tea: The Natural Air Conditioner

Peppermint tea stands out for its instant and noticeable cooling effect. This is thanks to menthol, a compound in peppermint that stimulates the body's cold receptors, creating a sensation of coolness. This herbal infusion is a fan favorite in hot climates and is naturally caffeine-free, making it suitable for any time of day. Enjoying it warm or iced will still provide that refreshing, zingy flavor. Beyond cooling, peppermint tea can also aid digestion, which is often sluggish in the heat, and may help with bloating.

Hibiscus Tea: The Ultimate Summer Refresher

Hibiscus tea, with its vibrant ruby-red color and tart, fruity flavor, is a powerhouse of cooling benefits. It is packed with antioxidants and rich in anthocyanins, which not only give it its beautiful hue but also support heart health and help regulate body temperature. This tea is a fantastic, healthy alternative to sugary soft drinks and can be brewed hot and then chilled for a perfect iced tea. Some studies also suggest it may help lower blood pressure, an added bonus in the heat.

Green Tea: Antioxidant-Rich and Refreshing

Green tea is an excellent choice for summer due to its high antioxidant content and its less oxidized nature compared to black tea, which gives it more inherent cooling properties. It provides a gentle energy lift without the jittery crash often associated with other caffeinated drinks. Green tea can be enjoyed both hot and cold, and the cold-brewed version is particularly mellow and sweet, with less bitterness. Catechins in green tea also offer skin protection from UV damage, making it a true summer ally. For added refreshment, consider a Moroccan mint green tea blend.

Rooibos Tea: Caffeine-Free and Mineral-Rich

This South African herbal tea is naturally caffeine-free and low in tannins, so you can drink plenty of it without worry. Rooibos contains minerals that can help replenish electrolytes lost through sweating, making it a great option for hot weather hydration. It has a slightly sweet, earthy flavor and pairs wonderfully with fruits and mint. Like other teas, it's delicious both hot and iced, and its versatility makes it a staple for summer.

White Tea: Light, Delicate, and Highly Antioxidant

White tea is the least processed of all true teas, retaining a very high level of antioxidants. Its flavor profile is light and delicate, making it a perfect light beverage for a hot day. It also contains high levels of antioxidants that can protect the skin from sun damage and may preserve collagen. When cold-brewed, it's incredibly smooth and refreshing, with a gentle sweetness that requires no added sugar.

Hot vs. Iced Tea: The Cooling Science

It might seem counterintuitive, but drinking a hot beverage can actually help you cool down more effectively than a cold one under certain conditions. Here's how the science breaks down:

Hot Tea in Hot, Dry Weather: When you drink a hot beverage, your body’s thermosensors detect the temperature change and trigger an increased sweat response. As this sweat evaporates from your skin, it cools your body down. This method is most effective in dry, low-humidity climates where sweat can evaporate quickly.
Iced Tea in Hot, Humid Weather: In highly humid environments, sweat struggles to evaporate, which diminishes the cooling effect of a hot drink. In this case, an iced tea is the better choice for immediate relief, as it cools the body directly without relying on inefficient sweat evaporation. Just remember that extremely cold drinks can cause blood vessels to constrict, which can temporarily hinder the body's natural cooling mechanisms.

Comparison Table: Best Teas for Hot Weather


Tea Type	Best Served	Primary Benefit	Flavor Profile	Caffeine Level	Hydration Factor
Peppermint	Hot or Iced	Natural Cooling	Minty, refreshing, zingy	None	Excellent
Hibiscus	Iced	Temperature Regulation	Tart, fruity, cranberry-like	None	Excellent
Green	Hot or Cold-Brewed	Antioxidant-Rich	Grassy, vegetal, sweet (cold brew)	Low to Medium	Excellent
Rooibos	Hot or Iced	Mineral Replenishment	Earthy, sweet, nutty	None	Excellent
White	Cold-Brewed	High Antioxidants	Delicate, subtle, light	Low	Excellent

The Verdict

When asking what tea is best for hot weather, the ultimate answer depends on your environment and preference. For the most powerful natural cooling sensation, peppermint tea is a standout choice, especially when enjoyed warm in a dry climate to maximize sweat-based cooling. For a tart, hydrating, and heart-healthy option, hibiscus tea is unmatched as a chilled beverage. Green tea and white tea offer lighter, antioxidant-rich alternatives, while rooibos provides caffeine-free hydration with added minerals. Ultimately, the best tea is the one you will enjoy most and drink consistently to stay hydrated during the warm months.

For more expert insights on tea and wellness, consider visiting the Tea Association of the USA website for educational resources about the tea industry and its health benefits.

Conclusion

Staying hydrated is paramount in hot weather, and tea offers a delicious and healthy way to achieve this. Whether you prefer the invigorating menthol of peppermint, the vibrant tartness of hibiscus, or the subtle refreshment of green or white tea, there are countless options to help you beat the heat. By understanding the properties of each tea and the science behind hot versus cold drinks, you can make an informed choice that keeps you cool, hydrated, and refreshed all summer long. Remember to listen to your body and choose the brew that suits your needs and climate best.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, in dry climates, drinking hot tea can be very effective. It causes your body to increase its sweat production, and as that sweat evaporates, it cools you down. The cooling effect is greater than the heat added by the drink itself, provided the climate allows for good evaporation.

Herbal teas like rooibos, hibiscus, and peppermint are excellent choices for hydration. They are naturally caffeine-free and contain minerals and antioxidants that help replenish your body's fluid balance without any diuretic effects.

Yes, green tea is a great option. Its light, less oxidized nature gives it cooling properties, and it contains catechins that protect your skin from sun damage. Cold-brewing green tea also results in a milder, sweeter flavor that is very refreshing.

Iced tea itself is hydrating, especially if it's herbal and caffeine-free. However, if heavily sweetened or made with high-caffeine tea, the sugar and caffeine can have a diuretic effect that works against hydration. Moderation is key.

Yes, peppermint tea is one of the most effective cooling teas. The menthol in mint stimulates the body's cold receptors, providing a very distinct and refreshing sensation. It's excellent hot or iced.

Hibiscus tea is popular for its tart, fruity taste and beautiful color, which is very refreshing. It also contains antioxidants that help regulate body temperature and may lower blood pressure, making it a perfect summer beverage.

For immediate cooling in humid conditions, brew your tea hot and then chill it, or cold-brew it overnight for a smoother flavor. For a more effective, long-term cooling effect in dry heat, consider drinking the tea warm.