What's the best iced tea to buy?

December 19, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research by multiple food publications, unsweetened iced teas from brands like Uncle Matt's and Tejava consistently rank as top choices for purity and taste. When pondering what's the best iced tea to buy, your decision depends heavily on your personal preferences, from desired sweetness to caffeine content and brewing method.

Quick Summary

An in-depth guide covering the top store-bought and DIY options, examining factors like sweetness, tea type, and brewing methods to help you find the best iced tea for your taste.

Key Points

Bottled vs. Brew-at-Home: Choose bottled for convenience or brew at home for full control over flavor and sweetness.
Unsweetened Options: For purists and those who want to control sugar intake, brands like Tejava and Uncle Matt's offer clean, preservative-free unsweetened teas.
Sweet Tea Classics: Milo's Famous Sweet Tea is a top pick for those seeking a traditional, sweet, and simple iced tea experience.
Subtly Sweet Choices: TAZO Black Awake provides a more nuanced, subtly sweet flavor for drinkers who want more than just sweetness.
Brewing Methods Matter: Cold brewing at home creates a smoother, less bitter iced tea compared to the quicker hot brew method.
Variety of Tea Types: Black tea offers bold flavors, green tea is lighter, and herbal teas provide caffeine-free fruit or spice notes.

Factors to Consider When Buying Iced Tea

Before you grab the first bottle off the shelf, consider what matters most to you. From preparation style to ingredients, here are the key aspects that influence your iced tea experience.

Bottled vs. Brew-at-Home

The most immediate choice is convenience versus customization. Bottled iced teas, such as those from Pure Leaf or Gold Peak, offer instant gratification and consistent flavor. They are perfect for on-the-go consumption or large gatherings. On the other hand, brewing at home allows for total control over the flavor profile, strength, and sugar content. Home brewing can use either the hot brew or cold brew method. Cold brewing, in particular, can produce a smoother, less bitter flavor by steeping tea bags or loose leaf tea in cold water overnight. Brands like Harney & Sons offer dedicated iced tea bags for this purpose.

Sweetened vs. Unsweetened

Your preference for sweetness is a major factor. Many popular bottled brands, including Pure Leaf Sweet Tea and AriZona Southern Style, cater to those who enjoy a sugary drink. For those who prefer a healthier option or want to add their own sweetener, unsweetened varieties are best. In taste tests conducted by Serious Eats, Uncle Matt's Organic Brewed Unsweet Tea was named a top choice for its clean, pure flavor. Similarly, Tejava is praised for its lack of preservatives and fresh taste. Always check the nutrition label, as even some "lightly sweetened" options can contain a significant amount of sugar.

Tea Type and Flavor

The base tea type dictates the fundamental flavor. Black teas, like those used in Milo's Famous Sweet Tea, offer a bold, robust, and sometimes malty flavor. Green tea, as found in AriZona Green Tea with Ginseng and Honey, provides a lighter, more grassy, and sometimes floral flavor. Herbal teas, like hibiscus or rooibos, are naturally caffeine-free and come in a wide range of fruit-forward or spiced flavors, such as the Cranberry Apple Tart from The Spice & Tea Exchange. Many brands also offer infused or flavored versions, adding notes of lemon, peach, or mint.

Top Iced Tea Brands Reviewed

Here’s a breakdown of some of the best and most popular iced tea brands available today.

Pure Leaf Iced Tea

Pure Leaf is a dominant player in the market, known for its "real brewed" taste. They offer a wide range of options, including sweetened, unsweetened, and various flavors. Their unsweetened black tea is a solid, widely available choice for those seeking a straightforward tea flavor.

Milo's Famous Sweet Tea

Milo's is a Southern favorite celebrated for its simple, traditional recipe of just water, tea, and pure cane sugar. The taste is consistently sweet and refreshing, making it a go-to for many who enjoy classic sweet tea.

Tejava Original Unsweetened Black Iced Tea

For those who prioritize clean, pure ingredients, Tejava is an excellent choice. It is brewed in small batches with no sugar or preservatives, resulting in a remarkably fresh and smooth taste. It's a favorite among connoisseurs of unsweetened beverages.

TAZO Black Awake Iced Tea

If you prefer a subtly sweet option with complex flavor notes, TAZO offers a great middle ground. Their Black Awake Iced Tea has an earthy black tea base with notes of malt and fruit, praised by testers for its flavor beyond just sweetness.

Making the Best Iced Tea at Home

Making your own iced tea is a simple process that allows you to control every aspect of your drink. Follow these steps for a perfect pitcher every time:

Choose your brewing method: Use the hot brew method for a fast, strong result, or the cold brew method for a smoother, less bitter flavor.
Select high-quality tea: Whether using tea bags or loose leaf, a good quality tea is the foundation of a great iced tea. Consider brands like Harney & Sons or Dilmah.
Use simple syrup: If you prefer sweetened tea, use a simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, heated until dissolved) instead of granulated sugar, as it dissolves better in cold liquids and avoids a gritty texture.
Add your garnishes: A slice of lemon, a sprig of fresh mint, or some fruit slices can elevate your iced tea and add a refreshing twist.

Comparison Table: Popular Iced Tea Brands


Brand	Tea Type	Sweetness	Key Features	Best For
Pure Leaf	Black, Green	Sweet, Unsweet	Real brewed, wide variety	All-purpose, balanced flavor
Milo's	Black	Sweet	Simple ingredients, traditional taste	Classic sweet tea lovers
Tejava	Black	Unsweet	No sugar/preservatives, clean taste	Unsweetened purists
TAZO	Black	Subtly Sweet	Balanced flavor, complex notes	Fans of nuanced taste
AriZona	Black, Green	Sweet	Accessible, low cost, large cans	Value-conscious, sweet drinkers
Uncle Matt's	Black	Unsweet	Organic, pure ingredients	Health-conscious, organic

The Best Iced Tea for Every Taste

Ultimately, the best iced tea to buy depends on your personal preferences for flavor, sweetness, and convenience. While there are many excellent pre-bottled options on the market, from the classic sweetness of Milo's to the pure simplicity of Tejava, the most rewarding experience might come from brewing your own. By understanding the different tea types and brewing techniques, you can craft a refreshing drink that is tailored perfectly to your taste buds.

No matter your preference, there's a delicious iced tea out there for you. For more insights on food and drink, check out reliable sources like the Taste of Home test kitchen at https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/best-iced-tea/.

Conclusion

From store-bought convenience to homemade perfection, finding the best iced tea is a delightful journey. The top brands like Pure Leaf, Milo's, and Tejava offer reliable and delicious options, each with a distinct profile. However, if flavor customization is your priority, brewing at home gives you complete control over every element, from the type of tea to the level of sweetness. By considering these factors and experimenting with different brands and brewing methods, you can discover your ideal iced tea, whether it's a bold black tea or a refreshing herbal blend.

Frequently Asked Questions

The healthiest iced tea is typically unsweetened and naturally brewed. Green or herbal teas are excellent choices due to their antioxidant content and lack of added sugar. Always check the ingredients list for added sweeteners or artificial flavors.

Cold brew iced tea is steeped in cold water over a longer period, typically overnight, resulting in a smoother, less bitter flavor. Hot brew involves steeping tea bags in hot water for a few minutes before chilling, which can sometimes extract more tannins and lead to a more bitter taste.

Yes, several brands offer organic iced teas. Uncle Matt's Organic Brewed Unsweet Tea is a popular, highly-rated option known for its pure ingredients and flavor. Brands like 365 by Whole Foods also have organic selections.

Yes, you can use regular tea bags for making iced tea. For hot-brewing, steep them in hot water and then chill. For cold-brewing, simply let the bags steep in cold water in the refrigerator overnight to extract the flavor.

Cloudy iced tea is often caused by hot-brewing tea and then rapidly cooling it. To avoid this, use the cold-brew method. If you must hot-brew, use filtered water and let the tea cool to room temperature naturally before refrigerating.

Milo's Famous Sweet Tea is consistently a top pick for those who enjoy classic, sugar-rich sweet tea. It is brewed with a simple, traditional recipe of water, tea, and pure cane sugar.

If you're looking for an alternative to black iced tea, green teas and herbal varieties offer lighter, different flavor profiles. Hibiscus or mint herbal teas are great caffeine-free, refreshing choices with different taste notes.