Grilled Pineapple Iced Tea
There is nothing better than fruit infused iced tea recipes to keep you hydrated all summer long! Today I’m sharing my recipe for Grilled Pineapple Iced Tea made with sweet grilled pineapple, white tea and a few other refreshing ingredients this is sure to become a summer favourite!
Summer hasn’t even officially arrived yet and already I have polished off more glasses of iced tea than I can count! I may have indulged in a peach iced tea or two, that happen to be spiked with coconut rum!
My Introduction to Homemade Iced Tea
Every summer my mom would make “sun” tea by the gallon. For as long as I can remember she would fill her gigantic commercial sized pickle jar with cold water. She’d plunk in 5 or 6 Tetley tea bags and leave it out in the sun all day to brew. She’d bring it in and add a packet of fruity lemon-lime Crystal Light powder, add some ice and keep in the refrigerator. We scoop it out into glasses with a measuring cup.
My love for iced tea has only gotten deeper over the years, but instead of artificially sweetened fruit flavoured drink crystals I make fruit infused iced tea with all kinds of real fresh fruit!
Why You’ll Love this White Iced Tea
- naturally sweetened with pineapple and maple syrup
- refreshing summer beverage
- easy to make
Recently, after grilling some pineapple for dessert, I got the idea to create a pineapple iced tea using some white tea bags that I had, instead of the usual green or black tea.
White tea comes with some impressive benefits! Paired with the nutrient loaded pineapple and you have a very refreshing healthish beverage!
Benefits of White Tea
- white tea is minimally processed
- rich in antioxidants
- easy to prepare requiring just 2 to 3 minutes of steeping time
- high concentration of L-theanine (which is thought to have a natural calming effect)
- antibacterial properties that may help to keep gums and teeth healthy
Other than a little maple syrup there is no added sugar. Grilling the pineapple brings out the sweetness, giving this tea a lightly sweet, yet super fruity flavor. Using white tea as the base, makes this a healthy alternative to refined sugar loaded sweet teas.
Ingredients at a Glance
- fresh pineapple
- white iced tea bags or loose leaf equivalent
- maple syrup
- pineapple juice
How to Make Grilled Pineapple White Iced Tea
Be sure to see the full printable ingredient list and instructions below!
- Boil water. and steep tea bags for 4 minutes, remove tea bags and refrigerate until cool
- slice peeled and cored fresh pineapple into 1/2 inch slices, brush with maple syrup and grill over medium heat
- reserve one slice for garnish, and place the remaining slices in a blender with remaining maple syrup and pineapple juice
- add 1 cup of ice cubes to a large pitcher, strain pineapple mixture over ice, add cooled ice tea and stir
- pour into glasses and garnish with a piece of grilled pineapple
Prep Tips
- buy pineapple that has already been peeled and cored from the grocery store to safe time
- use a high speed blender for the smoothest mixture
- rim the glass with a bit of pineapple juice and raw sugar
- add a splash of rum (or non-alcoholic rum) for an adult friendly white iced tea
Grilling fruit is a wonderful way to bring out its’ sweet delicious flavour. Try these yummy grilled strawberry and poundcake skewers or these easy grilled apples with cinnamon and honey!
I love these square old fashioned glasses. They are the perfect size, have a nice solid base and are surprisingly very comfortable to hold.
I’ve come along way from scooping iced tea out of a pickle jar with a measuring cup! But, I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything!
Summer Cocktail Recipes
Grilled Pineapple Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 5 white tea bags
- 4 cups boiling water
- 1 fresh pineapple peeled and cored
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- 3 -4 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- olive oil or non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Boil 4 cups of water and pour over tea bags in a heat proof measuring cup. Allow to steep for 2 to 3 minutes then remove teabags and allow to cool in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Preheat grill.
- Slice pineapple in 1/2 inch slices. Brush the grill with olive oil or spray with on-stick spray. Brush one side of the pineapple slices with maple syrup, carefully place maple side down on preheated grill. Brush the tops with maple syrup, close the lid and allow to cook for 4 minutes. Carefully flip the slices, cooking for additional 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Set aside one grilled pineapple slice for garnish and cut up the remaining slices and place in a blender. Add pineapple juice and remaining maple syrup. Blend until smooth.
- Add a cup of ice to a pitcher and using a fine sieve, strain pineapple over the ice. Add the cooled ice tea.
- Pour into glasses filled with ice and garnish with a chunk of grilled pineapple. Store any remaining iced tea in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
The grilled pineapple ice tea looks DELICIOUS!!! I wish I had a wonderful friend who lived only 3 houses away from me who made such amazing things like this!!!! Looks awesome Mo! … oh and ps… I totally remember your mum’s big pickle jar sitting in the sun ! Great memories ! xx
Grilled fruit in tea is genius! Definitely trying this during the summer!
Mmmm that sounds perfect for today! Thanks for the great ideas!
Thank you Barbara! You are most welcome 🙂