13 Flavors Of Pure Leaf Iced Tea, Ranked Worst To Best

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13 Flavors Of Pure Leaf Iced Tea, Ranked Worst To Best

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13 Flavors Of Pure Leaf Iced Tea, Ranked Worst To Best

By Deirdre Mundorf

Updated: May 28, 2025 10:36 am EST

Deirdre Mundorf / Tasting Table

Iced tea tends to be my go-to drink. You'll almost always find a pitcher of fresh-brewed tea in my refrigerator, typically unsweetened. And, if you were to go out to a restaurant with me, you'd likely hear me order an iced tea — sometimes sweet, sometimes unsweet. Even with fresh-brewed iced tea at home, there are still times when you might find it more convenient to pick up a few bottles of iced tea, such as for a summer cookout, when you're running errands, or when you're making a quick stop during a road trip.

For times such as these, Pure Leaf is one of the popular tea brands to consider grabbing. However, with a lot of different flavor options, you might have a hard time deciding which flavors are really worth buying. I had the same dilemma, so I decided to taste all the varieties of Pure Leaf's Iced Tea I could get my hands on and rank them in order from the worst to the best. This ranking is based on how each variety tastes, including whether there was any aftertaste (pleasant or otherwise). Additionally, since iced tea is something many of us reach for on a hot summer's day, I also considered whether each flavor was a refreshing thirst quencher, or whether it left me seeking something else to feel satisfied. I'll share a more in-depth explanation of the methodology I used to rank these Pure Leaf flavors at the end of this article.

Some recommendations are based on firsthand impressions of promotional materials and products provided by the manufacturer.

13. Extra Sweet Black Tea

Deirdre Mundorf / Tasting Table

I like sweet tea and initially thought that this Extra Sweet Black Tea could become my new go-to when looking to satisfy my sweet tooth. However, after the first sip, I knew I wouldn't be seeking this one out again. Sadly, it was way too sweet for my liking. It had a very strong, syrupy flavor that was so overpowering that I could barely detect the flavor of the tea itself. I also noticed a distinct difference when pouring the tea. It just looked thicker and a lot darker than the other teas, reaffirming the presence of a viscous syrup somewhere in the mix.

One reason I often pick iced tea over other beverages is because of how much of a thirst quencher it can be. However, if I was at a friend's house and they brewed this, I would doubt that they really knew how to make refreshing homemade iced tea. It didn't do anything to quench my thirst. In fact, it left a film towards the back of my mouth, making me feel like I needed to drink something else to rinse it away.

If the strong, unpleasant flavor — and how it lingered — weren't enough, I was also disappointed when I looked at the calories in the 18.5-ounce bottle. While I was expecting a higher calorie count due to the obvious amount of sugary syrup, I was still surprised to find that there are 240 calories in the bottle — a full 80 calories more than Pure Leaf's standard Sweet Black Tea. It also has a whopping 64 grams of sugar.

12. Unsweetened Lemon

Deirdre Mundorf / Tasting Table

I was a bit surprised when I opened this bottle and took a whiff. It didn't have a very strong lemon scent, which left me hopeful that it also wouldn't have too strong of a lemon flavor for my liking. However, once I took a sip, I was positive I wouldn't be placing it anywhere near the top of this ranking. Despite the mild scent, I definitely tasted the lemon right away. Without any added sweetener, though, it was very bitter. If anything, I felt thirstier before drinking it than after — and taking a few additional sips didn't seem to help.

However, while this isn't my cup (or bottle) of tea, it might be yours. If you're used to drinking unsweetened tea and squeezing a fresh lemon into it to sweeten it, you might decide that this is a good pick. It could also be a good choice for those looking for something other than plain, unsweetened tea and who can't have (or don't want) any added sugar or artificial sweeteners in their tea. With 0 calories, it is definitely a healthier option than Pure Leaf's sweetened lemon tea. That one has 150 calories.

11. Lemon Black Tea

Deirdre Mundorf / Tasting Table

As you might have guessed from the above entry, I don't typically like lemon in my tea, so I didn't have the highest hopes for this flavor. And, after a few sips, it lived up to my expectations — or lack thereof. In my opinion, the lemon flavor is too strong. It really overpowers the beverage and could make you question whether there is even any tea mixed in. Beyond the strength of the lemon flavor, it also has more of an artificial taste to it. While I wouldn't purposefully choose to squeeze a fresh lemon into a glass of iced tea, I'd much...