Iced tea: it’s that classic summer porch swing, family get-together beverage. It’s cold, it’s refreshing, and it’s inherently Southern, especially the sweet variety. We researched iced teas of all sorts to find some of the best in Baton Rouge.
Highland Coffees offers what might be the largest iced tea selection under one roof in the Capital City. The coffee shop actually has 30 hot teas that fall under green, black, Oolong, flavored or herbal, but also brews 11 varieties daily to serve over ice, unsweetened. Those include mango, raspberry-black currant, peppermint, rooibos, passion fruit, berry patch, Darjeeling, earl grey, passion and envy, Fiji and royal mint.
Highland Coffees brings in high-quality loose teas from importers on both the East and West coasts, owner Clarke Cadzow says.
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While new iced teas are introduced at the shop from time to time, Cadzow says the 11 main flavors typically remain on the menu. Some of the iced teas, such as the mango black tea and the raspberry-black currant, have been brewed at the shop for 26 years—as long as the establishment has been open.
The selection at this North Gates cafe gives us an oft-forgotten reminder: iced tea, even in Louisiana, can be more than the pitcher of sweet black tea found in most Southern kitchens.
If you are in search of a cold glass of classic iced tea, both CC’s Coffeehouse and PJ’s Coffee serve black tea over ice, and Magpie Cafe offers Pure Black, an organic black tea blend from Kilogram Tea Company.
Other refreshing iced teas to try around Baton Rouge:
Ginger Plum: a decaffeinated herbal blend from Magpie Cafe
Acadiana Black ‘n’ Berry: a fruit-flavored black tea blend from CC’s Coffeehouse
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Sport Tea: An energizing tea blend with Siberian ginseng and ginger from Brew Ha-Ha
For those looking for a different twist, Lebanese iced tea might cure your tastebuds’ wanderlust. Sold at most Greek and Lebanese restaurants, such as Albasha, Serop’s and others, this beverage combines tea, sugar, lemon juice, rose water and sometimes orange blossom water and is served with a few pine nuts sprinkled on top. The rose and orange blossom waters are calming in both taste and scent, and the pine nuts add body, giving the drink a taste earthier than most teas.
Welcome to summer with 225 Dine. Our Summer Sippin’ series will explore some of the Capital Region’s most refreshing drinks, from lemonade to cocktails to smoothies. Follow along with us each week to discover a different local beverage, and tell us about your favorite Baton Rouge drinks in the comments.