Guayusa makes a naturally smooth iced tea, and a little fresh fruit turns it into something special. Below are six easy recipes, each paired with the guayusa that suits it best: our three varieties come from the same leaf, but they brew different colors and strengths, and that changes how the fruit shines.
At a glance
- One base: steep guayusa 8–10 minutes in hot water, cool, pour over ice, add fruit.
- Traditional for sweet fruit, Golden for tart and tropical fruit, Green for light, pale drinks.
- Each glass has roughly 44–82 mg of caffeine, depending on the guayusa you use.
- Every recipe works with tea bags or loose leaf.
Start here: everything about the leaf, from taste to caffeine to brewing, is in our complete guide to guayusa tea.
Which guayusa for which fruit?
| Guayusa | Flavor | Color in the glass | Best with | Recipes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional | Rich & bold | Deep amber | Sweet fruit that needs a base with body | Strawberry, Orange |
| Golden | Smooth & mellow | Pale gold | Tart or tropical fruit that should shine | Lemon, Passion Fruit |
| Green | Fresh & light | Very light, greenish | Light fruit and pale drinks; our gentlest in caffeine | Kiwi, Grapefruit |
You can make every recipe with any of the three. The pairing is for the best color and flavor.
The base method
- Steep 1 guayusa tea bag (2 if using Green) or 2 full teaspoons of loose leaf in 8 oz of hot water for 8–10 minutes. That's longer than for a hot cup, because the ice will dilute it.
- Remove the bag or strain the leaves and let it cool, or keep a pitcher in the fridge.
- Add the fruit and a little honey, pour over ice and serve.
The recipes
With Traditional guayusa
- Iced Strawberry Guayusa: muddled strawberries and honey for a deep ruby drink.
- Iced Orange Guayusa: fresh orange juice over a deep amber base.
With Golden guayusa
- Iced Lemon Guayusa: lemon and honey in a pale-gold iced tea.
- Iced Passion Fruit Guayusa: tart, tropical and golden-yellow.
With Green guayusa
- Iced Kiwi Guayusa: mashed kiwi for a fresh, pale green drink.
- Iced Grapefruit Guayusa: tart, blush pink and light.
Tips for better iced guayusa
- Make a pitcher: steep 4 bags (8 if Green) or 8 teaspoons of loose leaf in 32 oz of hot water, strain and refrigerate. Add fruit and ice to each glass when you serve.
- Sweeten while warm: honey dissolves more easily before the tea cools.
- Cold brew instead: steep the leaves directly in cold water for 2+ hours, then strain. No kettle needed.
Where to get the guayusa
All six recipes work with our guayusa tea bags or loose leaf guayusa. For every brewing method, see How to Make Guayusa Tea, and for herbal blends, try our Guayusa Herbal Tea Recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which guayusa is best for iced tea?
All three work. Traditional is bold and dark, great with sweet fruit. Golden is smooth and golden, ideal with tart or tropical fruit. Green is fresh, pale and our gentlest in caffeine, perfect for light drinks.
Why steep guayusa longer for iced tea?
Ice melts and dilutes the drink, so we steep for 8–10 minutes instead of 5 to keep the flavor full once it's poured over ice.
How much caffeine is in a glass of iced guayusa?
It depends on the guayusa: about 82 mg with a 5 g Traditional bag, about 66 mg with a 5 g Golden bag and about 44 mg with two 1.5 g Green bags. Caffeine varies a little from harvest to harvest.
Can I make iced guayusa without sugar?
Yes. The honey is optional; fresh fruit and guayusa's natural hint of sweetness are often enough.