8 Best Apple Teas in 2026: Top Spiced, Herbal, and Cider Blends Worth Trying

Apple tea is a special drink, one that strikes just the right balance between comforting, flavorful, and adaptable. Whether it's served steaming hot in the dead of winter, chilled and refreshing on a sweltering summer day, or just as a low-key refresher any time of year, it always feels like an old friend. Apple tea's natural sweetness from the apples themselves and depth of flavor from the spices combine to create a nice, cozy experience without ever feeling too rich or cloying.

By 2026, you're starting to see apple tea show up all over the place in black tea, oolong, rooibos, and herbal tea blends. In fact, you can find it in loose leaf tea, pyramid sachets, spiced cider - style blends, and all sorts of combinations with other fruits. 

For our purposes here, we looked at things like how well known a particular apple tea is, what ingredients are used in its recipes, the brands behind it, and how easy it is to get hold of, so we could give you a good mix of the top apple teas to try this year.

Apple tea is simply a mix of dried apples, apple peel or flavor, tossed in with tea leaves or herbs. Sometimes it's black tea based, but just as often it's caffeine free herbal or rooibos. The apples add a touch of sweetness and a hint of acidity, a real comforting aroma that lots of people find super soothing.

The flavor depends on how tea manufacturers build the blend — from the spices and fruits they select to the base tea they use. Cinnamon, ginger, cloves and allspice seem to turn up a lot in apple blends - they create this lovely warmth. Others brands might pair apples with tropical fruit or caramel notes for a proper modern twist.

Lots of people really like apple tea - not just for the taste, but because it fits in with a balanced lifestyle and daily routine. It's one of those drinks that people choose when they want something gentle and comforting.

Apple tea has its roots in the long-standing tradition of making fruit infusions and warming spiced drinks. People have been simmering apples, peel and spices for ages to create warm drinks that just felt good to have. Later on, tea leaves got added to these fruit blends as flavored teas got all the rage.

In Turkey and some Middle Eastern places, apple tea is a big deal - it's often given out to guests and visitors. Shopkeepers and families will serve it out of politeness and it usually is caffeine free, made with apple flavoring or dried fruit. It's a kind of naturally sweet and fragrant cup.

In Europe and North America, the love of apple tea started from the old apple cider traditions. Families would get a big pot going with apples, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and allspice on the stove during the autumn and winter months. All that lovely smell just filled the house and reminded you of harvest time, warmth and being together with the family.

As time went by, tea leaves started getting added to those spiced apple drinks and suddenly we had modern apple tea blends. Now apple tea is enjoyed almost everywhere for its association with warmth, flavor and seasonal comfort.

Brand Overview: Harney & Sons have been perfecting their teas since 1983 and it shows. They manage to blend some old-school flair with some more modern thinking - like ditching all those nasty old packaging materials in favor of something a bit more eco-friendly. It's one of the reasons they've got such a loyal following all over the world.

Flavor & Experience: The first thing you notice when you take a sip is the spiced apples taking center stage, with warmth provided by the cinnamon, a hint of cloves and the subtle sweetness of orange peel layered on top of a good strong black tea. The apples give the whole thing a sweetness and a good aroma.

Brewing & Serving Notes: Put one teaspoon of Hot Apple Spice into hot water. The leaves will start to expand and the whole thing will release a rich, cinnamon and apple aroma that'll really get your senses going. As the liquid darkens to a golden brown you'll start to feel it warming all the way through - the spice is still nicely balanced so it doesn't get too overpowering.

Brand Overview: Plum Deluxe has been laying the groundwork for their small-batch loose-leaf teas since they first started up in Portland back in 2008. It's a brand that really knows how to blend old-school methods with some fresh, exciting flavor combinations - which is part of the reason so many tea fans across the board have grown to love them.

Flavor & Experience: So the Apple and cinnamon give this one a pretty sweet, spiced base - but then the ginger comes along and adds some real warmth. And just when you think it's all getting a bit heavy, the coconut kicks in and softens the whole thing out. You get this really nice layered effect that feels super soothing and rounded out. The flavor itself is just gentle, lightly creamy and pretty darn balanced.

Brewing & Serving Notes: Drop one teaspoon of Coconut Ginger Soother Herbal Tea (Apple Cinnamon) into boiling water and let it steep. As you pour, the cup opens up with a soft apple and coconut aroma that's just lovely. And then when you take a sip, it's all gentle spice to start with, and then that smooth, comforting texture just envelops you. 

Brand Overview: Based out of California, August Uncommon Tea makes a name for itself by shaking things up in the world of tea blending. The team at August Uncommon is all about coming up with new and unusual flavors that make brewing tea a bit more interesting.

Flavor & Experience: This Burnt Apple Oolong is like a masterclass in tea blending. The deep caramelized apple notes get mashed up with the richness of roasted oolong, creating a taste that's as complex as it is delicious. The additional boost of apple peel tartness is just enough to stop the sweetness from getting cloying, then you've got caramel notes coming in to bring warmth and depth to the whole thing.

Brewing & Serving Notes: Add two teaspoons of Avalon: Burnt Apple Oolong Tea into your hot water and let it infuse for a bit. As you wait, the leaves start to give off this amazing combination of caramel and baked apple scents and the liquid keeps getting more and more rich. Drinking it is like experiencing silk - it's silky smooth texture coats the mouth with a layered sweetness that shifts as the tea cools down a bit.

Brand Overview: Tea with Tae has got a reputation for knocking out pretty tasty blends that cover oolong, green, and black teas - all while keeping things real about quality and easy drinking. They really make an effort with their packaging, too - eco-friendly tubes and tea bags help minimize the impact on the planet without sacrificing any of that delicate tea flavor.

Flavor & Experience: Dried up apples and cinnamon are the main event in this caffeine-free herbal blend, and they're backed up by some lovely, subtle spices. Apple flavor is a real driver here - it's what gives this one its sweetness and its whole aroma. When you take a sip, you get a nice balance of tart and spice, and a warm finish that just feels like coming home.

Brewing & Serving Notes: Place one sachet of Apple Cinnamon into a cup of hot water and let it steep right out. As it does, the aroma starts to open up - sweet apples and gentle spice come right out, and the flavor starts to build. When you do finally take a sip, the tea feels silky smooth and not too hard to drink.

Brand Overview: Piper and Leaf is a little family-run tea company from Lacey's Spring, Alabama, that specializes in crafting teas that really capture the heart of the South. They've got a natural talent for combining all sorts of interesting ingredients - fruits, herbs, and spices - to come up with unique blends that just express warmth and southern charm.

Flavor & Experience: When you combine the sweetness of apples and caramel with a strong black tea, a bit of ginger and some spices, you get a cup that's as close to a dessert as you can get without actually eating one. Apple's the star of the show here - but it's not the only one. It brings that gorgeous sweetness and an incredible aroma to the table.

Brewing & Serving Notes: Drop one pyramid sachet of Caramel Apple Pie into a cup of boiling water and let it steep. As it does, the aroma of caramel and spiced apples just fills the air, and the color deepens. Then, when you take a sip, the texture is just like a warm, comforting drink is supposed to be - smooth, creamy, and full.

Brand Overview: Culinary Teas is a family-run company that's passionate about serving up top-notch loose-leaf teas. At its heart, their mission is to bring the simple pleasures of tea to everyone - which, for them, all comes down to getting people together, one cup at a time.

Flavor & Experience: This one's all about the mix of apple and cinnamon which gives off a lovely warm spicy taste, on top of a good strong black tea base. Now the apple is part of a blend of spices but it's the apple that really gives this tea its sweetness and its enticing aroma. It's got a nice gentle tartness to it, and just the right amount of sweetness to make it a real comfort drink.

Brewing & Serving Notes: Scoop one to two teaspoons of Apple Spice Tea into some boiling water and let it steep. As it brews the aroma just opens up and lets the cinnamon and apple shine through - and as it darkens in the pot you'll start to get a real sense of just how good this tea is. The texture is medium bodied and super smooth with a nice soft warmth from the spices.

Brand Overview: Leafberri is a Kenyan tea company with a pretty straightforward story - it was started by a tea lover who just happened to have a background in healthcare. The brand is all about wellness, heritage, and giving back to the small-scale farmers who grow the stuff by sourcing black, yellow, and purple teas, and being super careful in how they partner with those growers.

Flavor & Experience: You get this sort of explosion of passion fruit flavor in here - think bright and citrusy - and it's backed up by some nice big chunks of apple that add just a touch of soft sweetness and balance things out. There's some lemongrass and hibiscus going on too, all layered over top of the purple tea leaves.

Brewing & Serving Notes: Add one teaspoon of Passion Fruit Purple to some hot water and let it steep for a bit. As the color deepens, you get this gorgeous tropical aroma wafting up - really nice. The texture is light and silky smooth, and the balance of sweet and tangy notes is just spot on.

Brand Overview: Beach House Tea, a family-run outfit from Long Beach, Washington - gets their inspiration from the Pacific Northwest's gorgeous scenery. They're all about making small-batch, handmade loose leaf teas using organic and wild-picked ingredients, keeping production small to ensure every cup tastes super fresh.

Flavor & Experience: The sweetness of Organic Honeycrisp apples and pears takes center stage, with a cinnamon and herb backing on top of rooibos. It's true to say that Apple is the star here, giving the tea a lovely cider - like feel. The whole thing feels warm, nicely spiced and silky smooth.

Brewing & Serving Notes: Place one heaping teaspoon of Apple Orchard Cider into hot water and let it steep. Then pour it quickly to get all that lovely aroma out - at first it's sweet apples and warm spice, but as you drink on, it develops a nice depth. The texture is silky smooth, and the finish is all gentle herb.

Apple tea's a pretty relaxed brew - you can get away with some imperfections - but a few little tweaks can make a big difference. The apples, spices, and tea base all come together in a pretty special way when you get the preparation right.

If you want to get the full flavor out of your apple tea, then it's worth thinking about how you store and serve it. The key is to keep it away from heat and light - a cool, dry spot's perfect. Use a tin with a proper lid or some airtight container to keep it fresh, and keep it away from any damp air so the tea leaves don't go soggy.

If you're after a cold apple tea then brew a hot cup first, then pour it into a glass mason jar with a lid and put it in the fridge. That way, the flavor stays nice and the aroma doesn't disappear when it's cold - perfect for a hot summer day.

Apple tea is one of those magic drinks that brings warmth, flavor and a sense of comfort together in one lovely cup. Whether you're after cinnamon spice, fruity combinations or just a good old-fashioned apple cinnamon tea, there's something for everyone here.

Whether you like a big cozy cup on a winter's day, a refreshing cold brew on a hot summer's day, or something with a bit of a cider vibe going on, there's bound to be an apple tea out there that you'll love. 

If you're ready to go and explore a bit, then Taste of Tea has got you covered. We've got a huge range of apple teas to try, as well as some lovely seasonal specials!