A refreshing sipper with a bit of kick, this iced tea cocktail is a mixture of honey whiskey and unsweetened iced tea. It’s simple but quenching, and great for a crowd on a hot day.

glass of iced tea and shot of honey whiskey

Why this recipe works

When you think of iced tea and cocktail together in the same sentence, you’re probably imagining a Long Island Iced Tea, but this boozy drink is much more simple to make. An iced tea cocktail uses just 2 ingredients plus some sliced lemon or fresh mint as garnish. Kick back, relax, and enjoy a spiked iced tea poolside or at a backyard barbeque. Be careful, these go down super easy!

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

LIQUOR – You can use your favorite whiskey for this cocktail. We’re partial to honey whiskey for those lightly sweet notes and smooth finish. Feel free to experiment with gin, rum, or bourbon as well. Iced tea mixes well with so many liquors.

TEA – Unsweetened black tea is what we’re using for this recipe, but you can certainly use a sweetened tea or add sugar to the cocktail as desired. Peach iced tea or strawberry iced tea would also taste delicious mixed with this drink! We wouldn’t recommend store-bought ready-made iced tea because there are usually other ingredients in the tea that would alter the taste. Opt for some Lipton Iced Tea Bags, it’s quick and easy!

How to Make an Iced Tea Cocktail

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

Brew pitcher of tea. Let cool, refrigerate tea or allow to cool to room temperature.
Put ice in a Tom Collins or highball glass (tall glass).
Pour in desired amount of Whiskey (1-½ oz).
Fill the rest of the glass with iced tea.
Optionally garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Can I make this iced tea cocktail in a pitcher ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make the tea 3-4 days in advance, but you could also mix in the amount of whiskey you’ll need and store it in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. The recipe calls for 1 1/2 oz of whiskey per glass. Do not add ice to the tea and whiskey mixture, save that for your individual serving glasses so it doesn’t get watered down. I’d suggest making it one day in advance before your planned get-together. When ready to serve, just give it a good stir and you’re ready to go.

Serving Suggestions

Thanks to how quick and easy this iced tea cocktail is, it’s the perfect drink to whip up last minute for guests or to simply enjoy while sitting on the porch. It really doesn’t get easier than this! Serve in highball glasses over ice with sliced lemon or some fresh mint as a garnish on a hot summer day. You may optionally mix in some sugar as desired.

More Summer Cocktail Recipes

I love to bake and cook and share my kitchen experience with all of you! Remembering to come back each day can be tough, that’s why I offer a convenient newsletter every time a new recipe posts. Simply subscribe and start receiving your free daily recipes!