Fast-food restaurants always serve iced tea because it goes well with rich or spicy foods and calms you. These fast-food places all have their own unique ideas about what makes the besticed tea, whether it’s sweet or not.
But not every iced tea is the same. Knowing which drinks are worth your money is essential, whether you want a strong, powerful brew or a lightly sweetened, relaxing drink.
We’ll rank nine fast-food iced teas from worst to best based on flavor, strength, and general taste.
List of The Best Iced Teas
9. Burger King: Not very tasty and not very strong
There’s a good reason why Burger King might not be the first chain that comes to mind when you think of iced tea. I was disappointed with what they had to offer. The color and temperature are dark and cold, but the taste is almost nonexistent.
When I tried it, the tea didn’t taste much like tea; it was like a watered-down drink. It looked like the iced tea had been switched out for a light-colored drink. It would help if you got a free cup of water at Burger King instead, which costs about a dollar.
- Strength: Not strong
- There is almost no flavor.
- Cost: Not much money for a small
8. Wendy’s: A Slight Taste of Tea
However, Wendy’s iced tea is just as good as Burger King’s. It still leaves a lot to be desired. The tea is said to be made fresh every day, but the taste could be more robust.
The tea is cold and refreshing, but it’s fragile and doesn’t have a strong taste. The tea has a weak taste that makes you think of what it might be, but it is primarily flat.
Although the low price might seem like a good deal, Wendy’s isn’t as good as its competitors.
- Strength: Not very strong
- Taste: Watery with a hint of tea
- Price: Easy on the wallet
7. Panera Bread: Strong and Herbal
People notice that Panera Bread’s iced tea is powerful, but in a different way than you think. Their iced tea smells almost sour and has more herbs than most fast-food iced tea. Even though it’s dark and rich, the tastes don’t go well together.
Some people might like this strong, almost bitter taste, but it might be too much for many. If you like strong black coffee, you might like it, but everyone else will find it bland.
- Strength: Very strong
- Herbal and sour taste
- It costs about $4 for a small
6. KFC: All Things Sweet
People who like Southern-style sweet tea often choose KFC’s sweet tea. You can like or dislike the fact that the tea is very sweet, depending on your taste. However, it doesn’t have enough of a strong tea taste to balance out the sweetness.
It might go well with their famous fried chicken, but it tastes more like sugar water. KFC’s sweet tea is sweet, but don’t expect much tea taste.
- Strength: The tea tastes sweet but not strong.
- Taste: Pure sugar with a hint of tea
- Price: varies by place
5. Chick-fil-A: A Sweet Tea That Is Just Right
One of the more reasonable choices on this list is Chick-fil-A’s sweet tea. It’s sweet but not too sweet, and you can still taste the tea. It’s made with real cane sugar, which gives it a more natural taste, and the sweetness is like honey.
It should have more tea taste to make it stand out, but it’s a nice drink and goes well with their basic chicken sandwich.
- Sweet and well-balanced in terms of strength
- Taste: sweet, like honey
- Price: In the middle
4. Shake Shack: A Firm and Strong Brew
The iced tea at Shake Shack is solid and straightforward. Although it’s refreshing, this strong black tea doesn’t have many different tastes. It doesn’t have as many layers of flavor as some other teas on this list, but it tastes like a standard iced tea.
If you want a good drink, Shake Shack’s iced tea is a good choice, but it might differ from other, more complex options.
- Strength: Very strong
- Taste: Simple, plain black tea
- Price: Expensive but a good deal
3. McDonald’s makes a great iced tea.
People may know McDonald’s for its burgers and fries, but their iced tea is also pretty good. Orange pekoe is part of the mix used to make the tea, which gives it a citrus taste that makes it stand out. The taste is strong enough to be noticed but not too strong, and the tea is slightly sweet without any extra sugars.
The iced tea at McDonald’s is an excellent mix of taste, power, and price. You’d expect nothing less from a basic iced tea.
- Balanced and energizing are its strengths.
- Taste: Black tea with a hint of orange
- Price: One of the least expensive choices, easy on the wallet.
2. MOD Pizza: Strong and Refreshing
I liked how strong and complicated MOD Pizza’s iced tea tasted. With lemon notes and a cool finish, it was one of the best-iced teas I’ve tried.
There is no need for extra sweeteners or additives because the tea is already dark, strong, and made just right. It goes well with their savory pies and is a nice way to clear your mouth between bites.
MOD’s iced tea is worth the extra money, even though it costs a bit more than some of the others on this list.
- Strength: Very strong
- Taste: Strong with a cool citrus finish
- Cost: A little more expensive, but worth it
1. Starbucks: The Best Iced Tea at Fast Food Chains
It’s no wonder that Starbucks is at the top of the list. Starbucks is famous for its drinks, and its iced tea is one of the best. It’s light, refreshing, and full of taste.
Their iced green tea tastes like grass with a hint of citrus, and their black tea is strong and prosperous without being too bitter.
Starbucks’ iced teas are shaken before being served, which gives them a unique taste and makes the bubbles on top stand out. Though it costs more, the quality more than makes up for it.
- Strength: Very well balanced
- Layered and pleasant in taste
- Price: Expensive, but well worth the money
How To do It
I ranked these fast-food iced teas based on price, taste, and strength, among other things. To get the best taste, each tea was tasted without any extra sugar or ice. I also considered how each tea made me feel and how well it went with different foods.
The final scores are based on my tastes and how good and cheap each iced tea is generally. This guide will help you pick the best fast-food iced tea for your next meal, whether you want a strong brew or something light and sweet.