Yes, iced tea has caffeine unless it is made from herbal or decaf tea. A homemade 8 oz glass of black iced tea has roughly 40 to 50 mg, green iced tea about 25 to 30 mg, and bottled iced teas range from under 10 mg to about 70 mg per bottle. That is about half the caffeine in the same amount of coffee.
So iced tea is a moderate source of caffeine, not a light one and not a heavy one. How much you actually get depends on the leaf, how strong you brew it, and the size of the glass. Here is the detail.
Why iced tea contains caffeine
Black, green, white and oolong teas all come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, and its leaves naturally contain caffeine. Chilling the tea does not change that. Iced tea is just tea that has been brewed and cooled, so it carries whatever caffeine the leaves gave up in the pot.
The only iced teas with no caffeine are those made from herbal infusions, such as hibiscus, rooibos, peppermint, chamomile or a fruity wild berry tea, which never contained tea leaves in the first place.
How much caffeine is in iced tea?
For homemade iced tea, the best baseline comes from brewed tea data. The Mayo Clinic lists about 47 mg for 8 oz of brewed black tea and about 28 mg for 8 oz of brewed green tea, with bottled ready to drink teas at roughly 5 to 40 mg per 8 oz.
| Homemade iced tea (8 oz glass) | Typical caffeine |
|---|---|
| Black iced tea, brewed 3 to 5 minutes | 40 to 50 mg |
| Strong black iced tea (extra bags, long steep) | 50 to 70 mg |
| Green iced tea | 25 to 35 mg |
| White iced tea | 15 to 30 mg |
| Cold brew black tea (steeped in the fridge) | usually a little less than hot brewed |
| Decaf black iced tea | about 2 to 5 mg |
| Herbal iced tea (hibiscus, rooibos, mint) | 0 mg |
These are ranges, not exact numbers. Two tea bags in a mug for five minutes will always beat one bag dunked for one minute.
Does iced tea have a lot of caffeine?
Not compared with coffee. A typical 8 oz cup of brewed coffee has around 95 mg, roughly double a glass of black iced tea. The catch is portion size. A large fast food or refill cup can hold 30 oz or more, and at that size you can easily drink 100 mg or more without noticing.
Does adding ice reduce the caffeine?
Ice dilutes the tea, so each sip has a bit less caffeine, but the total amount in the glass does not change. If you brew a strong concentrate and pour it over a full glass of ice, you get roughly what was in the concentrate.
Caffeine in popular bottled and fast food iced teas
Brands print caffeine on some bottles and keep it off others. These are the figures the brands publish or print on the label. Check the bottle in your hand, since recipes and sizes change.
| Drink | Serving | Caffeine | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Leaf Sweet Tea | 18.5 fl oz bottle | 69 mg | Caffeine line on the Pure Leaf bottle label |
| Gold Peak Sweet Tea | 16.9 fl oz bottle | 44 mg | Coca-Cola Gold Peak product page |
| Gold Peak Sweet Tea | 18.5 fl oz bottle | 48 mg | Caffeine line on the Gold Peak bottle label |
| Snapple Lemon Tea | 16 fl oz bottle | 37 mg | Snapple caffeine figure |
| Arizona Green Tea | 8 fl oz | 7.5 mg | Arizona’s stated figure for its green teas |
| Starbucks Iced Black Tea | Grande (16 fl oz) | 25 mg | Starbucks menu nutrition information |
Notice the spread. A bottle of Pure Leaf has close to ten times the caffeine of the same amount of Arizona Green Tea. Bottled teas also tend to be brewed lighter than homemade, so per ounce they are often lower than a strong homemade jug. If you want more on one brand, see our guide to caffeine in Pure Leaf tea.
How much caffeine is in sweet tea?
Sweet tea is black iced tea with sugar stirred in while it is hot. Sugar has no caffeine, so sweet tea has the same caffeine per ounce as unsweetened black iced tea: roughly 40 to 50 mg per 8 oz glass when brewed normally.
Southern style sweet tea is often brewed strong, with several family size bags per jug, so a homemade glass can land nearer 50 to 70 mg. The bigger number to watch is sugar. A traditional jug can have a cup of sugar or more per half gallon, and the bottled sweet teas above carry over 40 g of sugar per bottle.
Why does sweet tea make me nauseous?
There is no single answer, but three common culprits are worth knowing:
- Sugar load. A big glass of very sweet tea, especially on an empty stomach, can upset some stomachs and cause a sugar spike and dip.
- Tannins. Strong black tea is rich in tannins, which can irritate the stomach lining when you have not eaten.
- Caffeine. If you are sensitive, a large serving of caffeine can bring on queasiness or jitters.
Try a weaker brew, less sugar, and drink it with food. If nausea keeps happening, or comes with other symptoms, talk to a doctor.
Do Top Tea and other tea bag brands contain caffeine?
Any tea bag made from black or green tea leaves contains caffeine unless the pack says decaffeinated. That includes everyday black tea brands such as Top Tea. Check the ingredients line: if it says “black tea” or “tea”, expect about 40 to 50 mg per cup. If it lists only herbs or fruit, it is caffeine free.
How to make lower caffeine iced tea
- Use green or white tea instead of black.
- Steep for less time. Most caffeine comes out early, but shortening a 5 minute steep to 2 or 3 minutes trims it.
- Cold brew it. Steeping tea in cold water in the fridge for 8 to 12 hours usually extracts somewhat less caffeine and gives a smoother taste.
- Choose decaf tea bags for evening glasses.
- Go herbal. Hibiscus, rooibos and peppermint make excellent caffeine free iced tea.
- Watch the cup size. A 32 oz cup of weak tea can still beat an 8 oz cup of strong tea.
How much is too much?
The US FDA says up to 400 mg of caffeine a day is generally not linked with harmful effects in healthy adults. That is about eight 8 oz glasses of homemade black iced tea. If you are pregnant, the usual advice is to stay under 200 mg a day. Children, people with heart rhythm problems, anxiety or reflux, and anyone on certain medicines may need less, so check with your doctor.
Keep reading on Tea Story
- Why tea can make you feel sick on an empty stomach: causes and simple fixes
- Tetley green tea benefits: what is proven and what is not
- Non alcoholic malt drinks: caffeine, fizz and sugar facts
- Mint Majesty tea and its benefits: a caffeine free spearmint and peppermint blend
- Peach iced tea: brands and an easy homemade version
Frequently asked questions
Does iced tea have caffeine?
Yes. Iced tea made from black, green, white or oolong tea contains caffeine. Only herbal iced teas, like hibiscus or rooibos, are naturally caffeine free.
How much caffeine is in a glass of iced tea?
A homemade 8 oz glass of black iced tea has about 40 to 50 mg. Green iced tea has about 25 to 35 mg. Bottled iced teas range from under 10 mg to about 70 mg per bottle.
How much caffeine is in sweet tea?
About the same as black iced tea: roughly 40 to 50 mg per 8 oz glass, or up to about 70 mg if brewed strong. Sugar does not add or remove caffeine.
Does iced tea have more caffeine than coffee?
No. An 8 oz cup of brewed coffee has around 95 mg, about twice a glass of black iced tea. A very large iced tea can still add up, though.
Does iced tea have more caffeine than hot tea?
Not if it is made from the same tea, the same amount of leaves and the same steep time. Temperature after brewing does not change caffeine. Cold brewing from the start usually gives a little less.
Is decaf iced tea completely caffeine free?
No. Decaf tea keeps a small amount, usually about 2 to 5 mg per cup.
Does all iced tea have caffeine?
No. Herbal and fruit iced teas have none, and decaf versions have very little. Check the label for the words “tea” or “black tea”.
Why does iced tea make me nauseous?
Strong tea on an empty stomach, lots of sugar, or caffeine sensitivity are the usual suspects. Try a weaker brew with food. See a doctor if it persists.
Bottom line
Most iced tea has caffeine, but usually about half as much as coffee. Expect 40 to 50 mg in a homemade glass of black or sweet tea, less with green tea, and anywhere from under 10 to about 70 mg in a bottle. Watch the cup size and the sugar more than the caffeine.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice.
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