Lychee Tea (Easy Iced Lychee Black Tea Recipe)
This post may contain affiliate links.Lychee tea is one of those drinks I always come back to when I want something light, refreshing, and not overly sweet. The floral sweetness of lychee pairs beautifully with bold black tea, creating a chilled drink that feels both simple and a little special. It’s incredibly easy to make at home, and once you try it, you might skip the café version altogether.
A Quick Look at the Recipe
🏷️ Recipe Name: Lychee Tea
⏱️ Ready In: ~ 15 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 4 glasses
🔥 Calories: 56 kcal (per serving)
🧾 Main Ingredients: Black tea leaves, golden syrup, mint leaves, lime slices, lime juice, lychees, water.
🥗 Dietary Info: Halal
🧠 Difficulty: Easy, very simple steps.
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Lychee tea is a light and refreshing drink made by combining brewed tea, usually black tea, with the delicate sweetness of lychee. The flavor is subtly floral, slightly fruity, and incredibly easy to enjoy, especially when served cold over ice.
I like to keep it simple at home, letting the natural sweetness of the lychees shine without making the drink overly sugary. The result is a clean, refreshing tea that feels both calming and cooling at the same time.
If you enjoy refreshing drinks like turmeric ginger tea, ginger lemon drink, or tamarind iced tea, this lychee tea offers a gentler, more floral twist. For something bubbly, you can also try my lychee soda, while lemongrass pandan tea is another great option if you prefer a more herbal and aromatic drink.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Recipe Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
Black tea leaves – Loose tea gives a deeper flavor, but tea bags work just as well. Adjust the strength depending on how bold you like your tea.
Lychees (with syrup) – Canned lychees are ideal since the syrup adds natural sweetness and flavor. Fresh lychees can be used, but you may need extra sweetener.
Golden syrup – Adds a light caramel-like sweetness. You can substitute with simple syrup, honey, or sugar syrup. If you prefer to make your own golden syrup, you can check out my golden syrup recipe.
Mint leaves (Moroccan-style infusion) – Brew the mint together with the tea for a deeper, more aromatic flavor. For a lighter taste, add mint at the end or use as garnish.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to Make Lychee Tea
STEP 1. In a pot, bring water to a boil, then add the black tea leaves and mint leaves (Images 1, 2). Reduce the heat and let it gently simmer, stirring occasionally (Image 3), for about 6-8 minutes to allow the flavors to fully infuse. Pour in the golden syrup (Image 4) and stir until dissolved. Turn off the heat and let the tea cool to room temperature.
STEP 2. Strain the tea through a paper filter into a pitcher or jar to remove the tea leaves and mint (Image 5). Stir in the lime juice (Image 6).
In a serving glass, add some lychee syrup, lychees, and a few fresh mint leaves (Image 7). Slowly pour the cooled tea over the top (Image 8). Serve with ice cubes and lime slices for a refreshing finish.
Pro Tips
- Don’t overboil the tea – Once the tea starts boiling, reduce the heat and let it gently simmer. Over boiling or steeping too long can make the tea taste bitter.
- Control the tea strength – If you prefer a lighter, more delicate drink, reduce the brewing time slightly. For a stronger tea flavor, let it steep a bit longer but keep an eye on bitterness.
- Balance the sweetness – Lychee syrup already adds sweetness, so taste the tea before adding more sweetener. It’s easier to add than to fix an overly sweet drink.
- Let the tea cool completely before serving – Let the hot tea cool to room temperature first, then chill if needed for a more refreshing taste.
- Use the lychee syrup—it’s liquid gold 😄 – Don’t skip the syrup from the canned lychees. It enhances the fruity flavor and ties everything together beautifully.
- Gently bruise the mint leaves – Lightly press the mint leaves before adding them to release more aroma, no need to crush them too hard or they can turn slightly bitter.
- Adjust the citrus to your taste – A splash of lime juice brightens the drink, but you can increase or reduce it depending on how tangy you like your lychee iced tea.
Serving Suggestions
This lychee black tea is one of those drinks I love serving alongside rich or spicy dishes. The light, floral sweetness and refreshing finish help balance bold flavors beautifully.
For a satisfying meal, pair it with spicy favorites like pad kra pao, garlic chili oil noodles, fish curry, chicken rendang, or ayam balado. It’s also a great match for comforting dishes like Hainanese chicken rice, nasi goreng kampung or mie goreng.
If you’re in the mood for a relaxed afternoon treat, this lychee tea goes wonderfully with traditional Indonesian snacks. I especially enjoy it with soft, lightly sweet desserts like getuk lindri or bugis mandi. For something savory, lemper ayam is another perfect pairing, the fragrant tea complements the sticky rice and chicken filling without overpowering it.
Lychee Tea FAQs
Yes, you can easily use tea bags instead of loose black tea leaves. They’re more convenient and work just as well. Just adjust the number of tea bags depending on how strong you like your lychee tea.
Absolutely! Lychee tea is perfect for making ahead. Brew the tea and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days. Add the lychees, mint, and ice just before serving for the best flavor and freshness.
Yes, fresh lychees work beautifully when they’re in season. However, you may need to add a bit more sweetener since canned lychees come with syrup that naturally sweetens the tea.
Avoid overboiling or steeping the tea for too long. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat and let it gently simmer. Straining the tea promptly after brewing also helps keep the flavor smooth.
Yes, you can skip the mint if you prefer. The tea will still taste refreshing, but the mint adds an extra layer of aroma and a cooling effect that pairs nicely with lychee.
You can substitute green tea for a lighter and more delicate flavor. Keep in mind that green tea is more sensitive to heat, so avoid using boiling water and shorten the brewing time to prevent bitterness.
Lychee tea is most commonly served cold over ice for a refreshing drink, especially in warm weather. However, you can also enjoy it warm if you prefer a soothing tea.
Storage
Refrigerator storage – Store the brewed lychee tea (without ice) in an airtight container or pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days. Keep the lychees and mint separate if possible, then add them just before serving to maintain their freshness and texture.
Make ahead for best flavor – You can prepare the tea a day in advance and chill it overnight. This allows the flavors to develop while giving you a perfectly cold drink ready to serve the next day.
Lychee Tea
Ingredients
- 15 gr tea leaves black tea or green tea
- 1 handful mint leaves
- 3 tbsp golden syrup
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 600 ml water
- 10 pcs lychees
Instructions
- In a pot, bring water to a boil, then add the black tea leaves and mint leaves. Reduce the heat and let it gently simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 6-8 minutes to allow the flavors to fully infuse.
- Pour in the golden syrup and stir until dissolved. Turn off the heat and let the tea cool to room temperature.
- Strain the tea through a paper filter into a pitcher or jar to remove the tea leaves and mint. Stir in the lime juice.
- In a serving glass, add some lychee syrup, lychees, and a few fresh mint leaves. Slowly pour the cooled tea over the top. Serve with ice cubes and lime slices for a refreshing finish.
Notes
- Don’t overboil the tea – Once the tea starts boiling, reduce the heat and let it gently simmer. Over boiling or steeping too long can make the tea taste bitter.
- Control the tea strength – If you prefer a lighter, more delicate drink, reduce the brewing time slightly. For a stronger tea flavor, let it steep a bit longer but keep an eye on bitterness.
- Balance the sweetness – Lychee syrup already adds sweetness, so taste the tea before adding more sweetener. It’s easier to add than to fix an overly sweet drink.
- Let the tea cool completely before serving – Let the hot tea cool to room temperature first, then chill if needed for a more refreshing taste.
- Use the lychee syrup—it’s liquid gold – Don’t skip the syrup from the canned lychees. It enhances the fruity flavor and ties everything together beautifully.
- Gently bruise the mint leaves – Lightly press the mint leaves before adding them to release more aroma, no need to crush them too hard or they can turn slightly bitter.
- Adjust the citrus to your taste – A splash of lime juice brightens the drink, but you can increase or reduce it depending on how tangy you like your lychee iced tea.
I love how simple this lychee tea is to make, yet it tastes so refreshing and special. The combination of lychee and black tea is light, fragrant, and perfect for any time of the day.