Sometimes the simplest tweaks are the best ones. Toss a few slices of crisp Honeycrisp apple into a pitcher of iced tea or lemonade, add a cinnamon stick and a sprig of mint, and suddenly you're serving the drink everyone at the cookout wants seconds of. No recipe, no cooking, no fuss — just a smart, unexpected upgrade to the pitcher you'd have made anyway.
The apple slices infuse a subtle sweetness and a floral apple note into the tea as they sit, and they look absolutely gorgeous suspended in the pitcher. Choose an apple that stays crisp: Honeycrisp is our favorite because it holds up for hours without turning mealy, and Cortland is famously slow to brown — ideal when your drink is going to sit out on a party table. Order fresh from our orchard by clicking here.
The Basic Formula
- 1 pitcher (about 2 quarts) of your favorite unsweetened iced tea, lemonade, or half-and-half combo
- 1 Honeycrisp apple, cored and thinly sliced
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Small handful of fresh mint leaves
- Ice
- Optional: 1–2 tablespoons Farm Fresh Honey to sweeten
- Optional: 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice for a brighter finish
Directions
- Fill a pitcher with your brewed tea or lemonade.
- Add the apple slices, cinnamon stick, and mint.
- Stir in honey if using, until dissolved.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes (2 hours is better) to let the apple flavor infuse.
- Pour over ice, spoon a few apple slices into each glass, and serve.
Variations Worth Trying
- Apple ginger iced tea. Add 3–4 slices of fresh ginger for a spicier version.
- Apple sparkling lemonade. Sub sparkling water for half the lemonade for a bubbly upgrade.
- Apple green tea. Cold-brewed green tea + apples + mint = a light, floral summer drink.
- Boozy version. Add a splash of bourbon, spiced rum, or apple brandy per glass.
- Frozen apple slices. Freeze thin apple slices and use them as ice cubes — they chill without diluting.
Not Sure Which Apple to Use?
Our Apple & Pear Varieties Guide breaks down every variety we grow, with notes on which ones are best for eating fresh, baking, cooking, and drinks like this one.
Made this? Send us a photo — we'll send you a coupon for 20% off your next order. Comment below or email [email protected]. Enjoy!
