Starbucks passion tango tea is easy to make at home, and costs so much less! Make a large batch of tea to store in the fridge, then pour over ice. Or add a splash of lemonade for an extra special treat!
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Copycat Starbucks Passion Iced Tea
Starbucks Passion tango tea is one of my favorite drinks on the Starbuck’s menu, especially during the summer! It’s made with a combination of hibiscus flowers, apple, and lemongrass, which give it a fruity, refreshing flavor and gorgeous pink color. This iced version is gently sweetened with honey to bring out those flavors and is the perfect thirst-quencher on a hot day!
For more refreshing copycat beverages, check out this Starbucks Honey Almond Milk Cold Brew recipe too!
Why We Love This Recipe
- Just as delicious unsweetened or naturally sweetened with honey
- Way cheaper than buying iced tea from the coffee shop every day
- Can keep a jug in the fridge for iced cold drinks any time
- Mix with lemonade for a refreshing passion tea lemonade
- Cool and refreshing for a hot summer day
- Eye-catching option for brunches and parties
Ingredient Notes
- Teavana Hibiscus Spice tea bags: Starbucks uses Teavana Hibiscus Spice in their cafes (Teavana is owned by Starbucks), which you should be able to grab on Amazon. If you can’t find this tea, Tazo Passion is very close and will be just as delicious! You can also use loose hibiscus tea.
- Honey: This is entirely optional, but it will add a nice hint of sweetness. You can use stevia or any other liquid sweetener you’d prefer.
- Ice
- High-quality lemonade (optional): For an iced passion tango tea lemonade, grab some lemonade from the store or make a batch at home.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Boil water in a tea kettle or small pot. Place honey (to taste) and tea bags in a heat proof measuring cup or mug. Use 2 tea bags for a stronger tea. Pour boiling water over tea bags and allow to steep, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir. Remove tea bags and cool in the fridge until ready to use.
- Fill a large glass with ice. Add lemonade if using, followed by the tea. Stir and serve immediately.
Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!
Recipe Tips:
- Add honey to taste. You can also use any sugar or sugar substitute such as Stevia that you like, or omit the sweetener all together for a no sugar-added option.
- For a lighter tea, use 1 bag. For stronger tea, use 2. I used two when developing this recipe.
- If using loose hibiscus tea: Place 1 teaspoon tea per ounce of water into a tea strainer, prepare as directed.
- To make a large batch of concentrate: Boil 32 ounces of water, pour over 8-10 tea bags and steep 10 minutes. Cool completely. Add a little sweetener if desired, ice, a splash of water and lemonade to a large cup, followed by about 6 ounces of tea concentrate.
- Lemonade is completely optional. We tested this recipe using Simply Lemonade, and Trader Joe’s. Lemonade does have added sugar, so adjust your sweetener level according to your preferences.
- Honey does not tend to dissolve into cold liquids well. Add the honey while steeping the tea, or make a honey simple syrup. To make a honey simple syrup: Combine ½ cup boiling water with ½ cup honey, whisk well. Cool and store in the fridge, use as desired to sweeten drinks.
- Although many people refer to this Starbucks drink as passion fruit iced tea, it does not actually contain any passion fruit.
Recipe FAQs
No problem! Use 6 ounces of boiling water, steep, and pour into a cocktail shaker completely full of ice. Shake briefly and vigorously and strain over a fresh cup of ice.
Hibiscus spice tea is floral, with hints of citrus, cinnamon and apple. Licorice root adds a touch of sweetness to bring out all of those wonderful flavors!
Nope! The Tazo Passion tea bags contain an herbal tea made without any caffeine. If you use Teavana’s Hibiscus Spice tea bags or grab a Passion Tango Tea from Starbucks, they are caffeine-free, too.
Storage Guidelines
Store any prepared tea in the fridge for no more than 3 days. The iced passion tea will become bitter the longer it sits.
Serving Suggestions
Once you have a stash of Hibiscus Spice tea bags, you can serve this as a hot tea, iced drink, or anything in between.
My favorite way to drink it is totally unsweetened or with a little honey. To play up the summery flavors even more, you can also add some lemonade, lemon juice, or orange juice.
Recipe Variations
- Steep dried fruit pieces: For even more flavor, steep the tea with a sprinkle of dried apple pieces, mango pieces, orange peel, and other aromatics.
- Add caffeine: If you want a little kick with your tea, replace one of the tea bags with white or green tea.
- Add vanilla: Once the tea is cooled, add a splash of vanilla for a creamy, floral note.
More Refreshing Drinks
- Caffeine-Free Iced Tea
- Cucumber Lemon Mint Water Recipe
- Watermelon Cucumber Refresher
- Starbucks Iced Pumpkin Spice Coffee Recipe
Did you make this recipe? Scroll down to leave a star rating and review!
Starbuck’s Iced Passion Tango Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces water
- 1-2 Teavana Hibiscus Spice tea bags *see notes for alternative
- 1-2 teaspoons honey
- Ice
- 4 ounces high quality lemonade, optional
Instructions
- Boil water in a tea kettle or small pot. Place honey (to taste) and tea bags in a heat proof measuring cup or mug. Use 2 tea bags for a stronger tea. Pour boiling water over tea bags and allow to steep, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir. Remove tea bags and cool in the fridge until ready to use.
- Fill a large glass with ice. Add lemonade if using, followed by the tea. Stir and serve immediately.
Notes
-
- Starbucks uses Teavana Hibiscus Spice in their cafes, which you should be able to grab on Amazon. If you can’t find this tea, Tazo Passion is very close and will be just as delicious! You can also use loose hibiscus tea.
- Add honey to taste. You can also use any sugar or sugar substitute such as Stevia that you like, or omit the sweetener all together for a no sugar-added option.
- For a lighter tea, use 1 bag. For stronger tea, use 2. I used two when developing this recipe.
- If using loose hibiscus tea: Place 1 teaspoon tea per ounce of water into a tea strainer, prepare as directed.
- To make a large batch of concentrate: Boil 32 ounces of water, pour over 8-10 tea bags and steep 10 minutes. Cool completely. Add a little sweetener if desired, ice, a splash of water and lemonade to a large cup, followed by about 6 ounces of tea concentrate.
- Honey does not tend to dissolve into cold liquids well. Add the honey while steeping the tea, or make a honey simple syrup. To make a honey simple syrup: Combine ½ cup boiling water with ½ cup honey, whisk well. Cool and store in the fridge, use as desired to sweeten drinks.
- Lemonade is completely optional. We tested this recipe using Simply Lemonade, and Trader Joe’s. Lemonade does have added sugar, so adjust your sweetener level according to your preferences.
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