9 Fast-Food Iced Teas Ranked From Worst to Best for Flavor and Refreshment

Fast-food chains offer a wide range of iced teas, but not all live up to expectations. After sampling nine different options, from Burger King to Starbucks, I’ve ranked them based on flavor, strength, and overall refreshment. Here’s where you should—and shouldn’t—spend your money on iced tea.

Not All Fast-Food Iced Teas Are Equal: Ranking the Best Brews for Flavor and Balance

As a former barista with years of experience brewing iced tea, they’ve enjoyed countless cups over the years. Iced tea complements any meal perfectly, whether cutting the richness of a savory dish with sweet tea or balancing a heavy meal with a strong brew.

It’s no surprise that many fast-food chains offer freshly brewed iced tea year-round. However, not all fast-food iced teas are equal, and the quality of the drink can either enhance or detract from the overall dining experience. To help fellow iced tea lovers, they ranked nine chains' house brews, focusing on strength, flavor profile, and overall taste. They aimed to find a drink that didn’t require extra add-ins—a well-balanced and refreshing option. Here’s where you should spend your money on iced tea, per Tasting Table.

9. Burger King
Burger King’s iced tea was the most disappointing. Despite looking like iced tea—dark and cold—it tasted like almost nothing. After the first sip, they wondered if they had been served dyed water. The flavor was nearly undetectable, and the tea lacked depth. At a few dollars for a small unsweetened iced tea, opting for water would be a better and more satisfying choice.

8. Wendy’s
Wendy’s iced tea, made fresh in-house, was another letdown. While it did have some tea flavor, it was watery and lacked complexity. The tea didn’t leave much of an impression, and though inexpensive, it doesn’t offer much in the way of taste. You’d be better off with water for a similar experience.

7. Panera Bread
Panera’s iced tea is strong—but not in a way that’s enjoyable. The flavor is overpowering and reminiscent of an herbal soup rather than a refreshing brew. The in-house blend has herbs that don’t quite fit for iced tea, making the drink harsh and somewhat unpleasant. Some iced tea fans appreciate its boldness, but it’s an acquired taste. At over $4 for a small, it’s a pricey option that might be worth skipping unless you crave its intensity.

6. KFC
KFC only offers sweet tea, and while Southern-style sweet tea has its charm, KFC’s version missed the mark. It tasted more like sugar water than actual tea, with the sweetness overpowering any tea flavor. While it might pair well with fried chicken, the tea lacks depth and isn’t particularly enjoyable on its own.

5. Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A’s sweet tea is a Southern favorite, and it’s easy to see why. The honey-like sweetness, made with real cane sugar, is balanced, but the tea flavor itself was lacking. While enjoyable and a good pairing with Chick-fil-A’s food, it could benefit from a more pronounced tea taste to stand out among other iced teas.

4. Shake Shack
Shake Shack’s house-brewed iced tea offers a solid, classic black tea flavor. It’s refreshing and strong enough to satisfy, but there’s little depth beyond that. The tea is a basic option that doesn’t stand out compared to Shake Shack’s other drinks, like their consistently excellent seasonal lemonades. While good, it’s a no-frills option on an otherwise bold menu.

3. McDonald's
McDonald's iced tea was a pleasant surprise, setting a standard for what fast food iced tea should be. The tea had a refreshing black tea flavor with a subtle hint of orange from its orange pekoe blend. Well-balanced and flavorful, McDonald's iced tea is simple yet delicious, making it a drink worth revisiting. The price is affordable, too, adding to its appeal.

2. MOD Pizza

MOD Pizza’s iced tea exceeded expectations. It was strong, authentic, and flavorful, with complex notes that made it stand out. The tea had a bold start, a lemony finish, and a pleasant aftertaste that lingered. Though pricier than other fast-food options, the quality is well worth it, especially when paired with MOD’s savory pizzas. For iced tea lovers, MOD offers a refreshing and satisfying experience.

1. Starbucks

Unsurprisingly, Starbucks reigns supreme when it comes to iced tea. Starbucks delivers a blend that needs no sweetener or extras, whether green or black tea. The green tea is light, grassy, and perfectly balanced with hints of citrus, while the black tea is rich and bold without bitterness. Starbucks’ attention to detail, like shaking the tea before serving, adds a delightful frothy texture. Though the most expensive iced tea on the list, Starbucks’ quality justifies the price, making it the clear winner.