When iced tea becomes a way of life
When the temperature rises, tea readily abandons its steaming porcelain for a carafe brimming with coolness. More delicate than soda, more complex than flavored water, and less conventional than fruit juice, iced tea establishes itself as a quintessential summer beverage.
Palais des Thés offers a particularly refined interpretation, true to its culture of tasting. Floral green teas, citrus oolongs, fruity creations or seasonal editions: the house transformscold infusion into a true gastronomic ritual.
The appeal isn't solely in the freshness. Prepared without added sugar, iced tea primarily allows you to appreciate the length, nuances, and aromatic structure of the leaves, with a smoother and generally less astringent sensation than after a very hot infusion.
Commercially produced iced tea often evokes images of a very sweet drink in which the taste of the tea becomes secondary. Palais des Thés' offering is the opposite: the tea leaf remains at the heart of the experience.
infusionat room temperature preserves the clarity of the aromas. The notes of peach, mint, rose, bergamot, or citrus do not mask the tea, but rather enhance its profile. The result offers greater precision, with a crisp freshness and a smoother texture.
This approach perfectly aligns with the new trends in summer dining. Iced tea is now served as an aperitif, during brunch, by the pool, or on a hotel terrace. Presented in a beautiful carafe, with a few clear ice cubes and a carefully chosen garnish, it even possesses the understated elegance sought after by upscale establishments.
The limited editions of summer 2026
For the 2026 season, Palais des Thés is highlighting four limited-edition summer recipes. Each one develops an immediately recognizable aromatic identity, while remaining designed for chilled enjoyment.
Organic from the South: apricots and melons reign supreme
Plein Sud bio combines green tea, apricot and melon. The composition plays on a sunny, almost velvety register, reminiscent of ripe fruit from a Provençal market.
Served very chilled, this tea pairs beautifully with a yellow fruit salad, a delicate apricot tart, or a fromage blanc dessert. A few fresh basil leaves can enhance its Mediterranean character without overpowering the tea's delicate flavor.
Bahia Bio: A Tropical Escape
With a white tea base combined with elderflower, mango, and açaí, organic Bahia offers a more exotic profile. The white tea provides a delicate structure, while the fruits create a rounded and exotic impression.
The company recommends an infusion of 8 grams or an XL muslin bag in 50 centiliters of water at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Organic Summer Fizz: lemon and ginger
More vibrant, the organic Summer Fizz combines green tea with lemon and ginger. Its structure evokes the world of cocktails: a tangy attack, vegetal freshness, and a slightly spicy finish.
It can be served in a tall glass with ice, a thin slice of lemon, and a few slivers of fresh ginger. To maintain the balance of the recipe, however, it's best to avoid adding too many garnishes.
Exotic Party: the sweetness of exotic fruits
Exotic Party is based on a white tea flavored with exotic fruits. More delicate than Summer Fizz, it will appeal to fruit drink lovers looking for an elegant alternative to juices and sodas.
This infusion naturally finds its place during a summer afternoon snack or with a lightly sweetened pastry, such as a pavlova with fresh fruit or a light coconut mousse.
Four iconic creations to rediscover frozen
Beyond limited editions, several of Palais des Thés' historical blends are particularly well-suited to cold brewing. Their aromatic character allows you to create a selection tailored to each moment of the day.
Hammam Tea: floral, fruity and enveloping
Hammam Tea is one of the house's iconic creations. Inspired by the hammam ritual, it combines green tea with aromas of green date, rose, red fruits and orange blossom.
Chilled, it retains its indulgent character while gaining in lightness. The floral notes become more ethereal, while the red berries add a pulpy sensation. It pairs well with pistachio financiers, Turkish delight , or a strawberry salad with orange blossom.
For presentation, a few edible rose petals are all you need. The aim is not to transform the carafe into a floral arrangement, but to visually evoke the olfactory world of tea.
Thé des Sources: mint, bergamot and flowers
Thé des Sources develops a fresher, more vegetal profile. It combines green tea with mint, enhanced with bergamot and sprinkled with rose and cornflower petals.
This construction gives it an immediate freshness, but one that is more nuanced than that of a simple mint tea. Bergamot adds a zesty dimension, while the flowers soften the finish.
It is particularly enjoyable during lunch on the terrace, with vegetable dishes, such as herb tabbouleh, ceviche, or grilled vegetables. A small mint leaf added at the time of serving is enough to highlight its character.
Trade Winds Tea: white peach and orange blossom
Trade Winds Tea is currently presented as a Chinese green tea flavored with white peach and orange blossom. Its current recipe primarily contains green tea, peach, and orange blossom.
Served chilled, it offers a particularly clear fruity expression. White peach brings roundness without heaviness, while orange blossom prolongs the tasting with a delicate floral touch.
Palais des Thés recommends steeping one XL muslin bag in 500 ml of room temperature water for 30 minutes before chilling. Each carton contains four muslin bags, each enough to prepare half a liter of tea.
Oolong 7 Citrus: a citrusy freshness
Formerly known as "Wu Long", the7 Citrus Oolong combines the woody structure of a semi-oxidized tea with seven citrus fruits: lemon, lime, sweet orange, bitter orange, grapefruit, bergamot and mandarin.
The recipe is distinguished by its long finish. The citrus notes give it brightness, but the Oolong base retains enough substance to prevent it from feeling too light.
For a gourmet tasting experience, it can be served with a zest of grapefruit or lime. It pairs very well with a lemon dessert, a citrus cake, a yuzu tart, or marinated fish.
How to prepare a Palais des Thés iced tea?
Two methods can be used:cold infusion, which is slower and more delicate, or hot infusion poured over ice cubes, which is faster and more intense.
The gentle method at room temperature
To prepare approximately 500 ml of iced tea: Place 8 grams of tea or an extra-large muslin bag in a teapot or carafe. Add 500 ml of filtered water at room temperature. Let it steep for 30 minutes to one hour, depending on the recipe and desired strength. Remove the tea leaves or muslin bag. Refrigerate the tea until ready to serve.
Infusing tea directly in the refrigerator is also possible. The company recommends allowing at least six hours for this process. Slow infusion limits the development of bitterness and astringency, making it particularly suitable for flavored teas.
The express method over ice cubes
For a quick iced tea, it is possible to prepare a more concentrated hot infusion, then pour it immediately over a generous amount of ice cubes.
Palais des Thés recommends using 4 grams of tea per 25 centiliters of water, at the temperature and for the duration indicated in the chosen recipe. The beverage is then filtered directly over ice cubes.
This method produces a more intense result. It is well suited to structured teas or when a drink needs to be prepared at the last minute.
The details that transform the tasting
The quality of the tea remains essential, but the water, serving temperature and container also influence the experience.
Relatively neutral filtered water allows fragrances to express themselves more clearly. Conversely, water that is too mineralized can weigh down the texture and diminish certain floral notes.
For serving, it's best to use large ice cubes, which melt more slowly and dilute the drink less quickly. The ice cubes can also be made with the same tea to preserve its aromatic intensity.
The toppings should be chosen according to the recipe: fresh peach or orange blossom with the Trade Winds Tea, mint, cucumber or bergamot with the Springs Tea, raspberry or rose petals with the Hammam Tea, lemon, mandarin or grapefruit zest with the7 Citrus Oolong.
A beautiful glass carafe allows you to admire the color of the infusion. This detail plays a key role in the presentation, especially during a brunch, a summer reception, or hotel service.
Iced tea and gastronomy: which pairings should you choose?
Iced tea should no longer be considered a mere waiting drink. Its aromatic range allows it to accompany a meal, much like a non-alcoholic pairing.
A floral green tea pairs well with vegetables, raw fish, fresh cheeses, and fruit desserts. A more structured Oolong can complement roasted, smoked, or lightly spiced dishes.
Some particularly harmonious pairings: Hammam Tea and rose strawberry cake, Spring Tea and sea bream ceviche: Trade Winds Tea and white peach tart, 7 Citrus Oolong and lemon dessert, Organic Summer Fizz and slightly spicy Asian cuisine, Organic Bahia and mango Pavlova.
In thehospitality industry, these pairings also represent an interesting alternative to alcoholic cocktails. Presented in a suitable glass and accompanied by a precise garnish, tea becomes a true gourmet mocktail.
An alternative to sugary drinks, to be consumed in moderation
Homemade iced tea without added syrup or sugar is a great way to add variety to your drinks. However, it's important to distinguish between hand-brewed tea and commercially prepared teas, which can have a high sugar content.
It's also important to avoid promises of "detox" or claims suggesting that tea can be consumed without any limits. Tea naturally contains caffeine ,also known as theine. The amount absorbed varies depending on factors such as the type of leaves, the dosage, the steeping time, and individual habits.
The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) reminds the public that the effects of caffeine vary from person to person and that late-night consumption can disrupt sleep onset and quality. Particular caution is recommended for children, pregnant women, and people sensitive to caffeine.
For an evening tasting or for an audience looking for a caffeine-free drink, rooibos and certain herbal infusions can also be prepared cold.
How much will Palais des Thés iced teas cost in 2026?
Prices vary depending on the recipes, formats, and business operations.
As of July 29, 2026, several seasonal loose-leaf teas in 100-gram packages— Plein Sud organic, Bahia organic, Summer Fizz organic , and Exotic Party—are priced at €13.50. A gift set containing four miniature iced teas is offered at €29.90.
The Thé des Alizés sachet, containing four XL muslin bags, is priced at €6.90. One muslin bag makes 50 centiliters of beverage, or two liters per sachet.
These prices are indicative only and may vary depending on the period, available packaging and promotions offered by the company.
How to store homemade iced tea?
After brewing, the tea should be filtered and then stored in the refrigerator, preferably in a sealed carafe. Palais des Thés recommends consuming it within 48 hours.
To preserve its aromas, it's best to add fresh fruit, zest, and herbs just before serving. If left in the carafe for too long, some ingredients can add bitterness or alter the balance of the infusion.
Iced tea, the new summer ritual
The success of iced tea ultimately lies in its ability to bring together several worlds: the pleasure of a cool drink, the precision of a tasting, and the discreet theatricality of a lifestyle.
With its iconic blends and seasonal creations, Palais des Thés demonstrates that freshness doesn't necessarily require excessive sugar or a multitude of artificial ingredients. A few grams of leaves, carefully selected water, and a little patience are all it takes to create a complete aromatic experience.
From the white peach of Thé des Alizés to the zesty notes of Oolong 7 Citrus, each blend offers its own unique interpretation of summer. All that remains is to choose your carafe, your glass, and the perfect moment to allow the tea to fully develop.
Also read on Luxe Daily
Official French sources
- Palais des Thés – Collection and preparation of iced teas
- Palais des Thés – Limited edition iced teas, summer 2026
- ANSES – Caffeine: tips to avoid adverse effects
