Tea Gifts for a Summer Christmas in Australia

In short: for a summer Christmas, the best tea gifts are ones that taste good cold. Think cold brew blends that steep overnight in the fridge, bright fruit and hibiscus teas for an iced jug at Christmas lunch, and blooming tea that looks stunning in a glass teapot. Pair the tea with a glass bottle or jug and a handwritten brewing note, and you have a gift that gets used all through January.

A Northern Hemisphere Christmas is all about steaming mugs by the fire. Down here, it is more likely to be 32°C, prawns on the barbie and a game of backyard cricket. Tea still makes a lovely present, you just need to pick the right kind. Here are our favourite ideas for every sort of tea lover on your list.

What makes a good summer tea gift?

Before you choose, think about how the person will actually drink it on a hot day:

• Does it work iced? Fruit, herbal and many black and green teas make excellent iced tea. Delicate whites and smoky teas are better saved for cooler evenings.
• Is it easy? Cold brew blends need nothing but a jug and a fridge, which is perfect for someone who does not want to boil a kettle in a heatwave.
• Caffeine or not? Caffeine-free herbal and fruit blends are great for kids, for the afternoon and for the whole family at Christmas lunch.
• Does it look good? Colourful blends and blooming teas look gorgeous in glass, which makes them a natural choice for entertaining.

7 tea gift ideas for an Aussie summer Christmas

1. Cold brew tea for the no-fuss friend

Cold brew is the easiest iced tea there is. Add the leaves to cold water, pop the jug in the fridge overnight and strain in the morning. Cold Brew Sweet Peach Fusion is a caffeine-free blend that tastes like summer stone fruit and is lovely straight from the fridge. Browse more blends in our cold brew tea range.

2. A Christmas lunch iced tea for the host

The host has enough to do. Give them a blend that turns into a big, colourful jug for the table. Strawberry Hibiscus Sangria brews a deep ruby red with a sweet-tart berry flavour, and it looks festive with sliced strawberries, orange and plenty of ice. It is caffeine free, so everyone from the kids to Nan can have a glass.

3. Blooming tea for the one who loves a bit of theatre

Blooming tea is a hand-tied ball of tea leaves and flowers that opens up like a flower as it steeps. Drop one into a glass teapot at the end of Christmas lunch and watch the table go quiet. Mango in Love unfurls into a pretty bloom with a sweet mango note, and it can be poured over ice once it cools.

4. A glass bottle or jug for the iced tea fan

Pair any loose leaf tea with a glass cold brew bottle or jug with a built-in filter. It is a practical gift that gets used every day from December to March, and it makes the tea gift feel complete.

5. A classic black tea for the daily cuppa drinker

Even in summer, most of us still want a proper cuppa in the morning. A good breakfast blend or a bright Ceylon also makes a crisp, classic iced lemon tea in the afternoon. Browse our iced tea collection for teas that work both hot and cold.

6. A caffeine-free herbal for evenings on the verandah

Long summer evenings call for something light. Peppermint, lemongrass, rooibos and fruit blends are refreshing hot or iced and won't keep anyone up after a late Christmas dinner.

7. A tasting trio for the curious tea drinker

Pick three small pouches with different characters, for example one fruit blend, one green tea and one herbal. Add a note with how you would brew each one, and you have a little tasting flight that feels thoughtful without costing a fortune.

Quick guide: matching the tea to the person

How to make a tea gift feel personal

• Write the brewing note. A small card with the ratio, water temperature and steep time (for example "10 g per litre, fridge for 8-12 hours") turns a pouch of tea into an experience.
• Add one extra. A packet of lemons, a sprig of mint from the garden or a bag of ice-block moulds for iced tea pops.
• Think about the heat. If the gift will sit under a tree in a warm room for a week, choose sealed pouches and keep them out of direct sun.

Want more ideas for using these teas over summer? Our guide to iced tea for an Aussie summer has five easy methods, from cold brew to a sparkling Christmas spritz.

Frequently asked questions

Is tea a good Christmas gift in summer?

Yes. Choose teas that work iced, such as cold brew, fruit and hibiscus blends, and they will be used all summer long rather than saved for winter.

What tea is best for iced tea at Christmas lunch?

Bright, colourful blends like strawberry hibiscus or peach make a festive jug. Brew them strong, cool them, then pour over plenty of ice with fresh fruit.

How much loose leaf tea do I use for cold brew?

About 10 g of tea per litre of cold water. Steep in the fridge for 8-12 hours, then strain and keep it chilled for up to 2-3 days.

How should loose leaf tea be stored in the Australian summer?

Keep it sealed in its pouch or an airtight tin, in a cool, dark cupboard away from the stove and direct sun. Heat and light fade flavour quickly.