Try Pairing Cheese with Iced Tea Instead of Wine

Before you roll your eyes, hear me out. We’ve all built a dreamy cheese board and reached for a glass of wine like it’s a reflex. But when summer hits and temps climb, sipping a bold red or even a chilled white can feel a little... heavy. That’s when I started wondering: what if we swapped wine for something cooler, lighter, and way more versatile?

That's where iced tea comes in.

Not only is it endlessly customizable—fruity, floral, spiked, or totally alcohol-free—but it’s also surprisingly great at highlighting cheese flavors in new ways. Over the weekend, I set out to test this chilled pairing twist, and let’s just say, I didn’t miss the wine. Some combos even blew me away.

Why Iced Tea?

First of all, iced tea is way more flexible than it gets credit for. It’s basically a blank canvas: fruity, herbal, sweetened or not, boozy or zero-proof. Plus, it has a lighter, more refreshing vibe that plays well with creamy, salty, and tangy cheeses—without making you feel like you need a nap afterward. Think of it as a picnic-ready pairing with major patio energy.

The Pairings That Surprised Me (In the Best Way)

1. Peach Iced Tea + Cowgirl Creamery’s Mt. Tam

The vibe: Buttery luxury meets juicy orchard sweetness.

Mt. Tam from Cowgirl Creamery is a triple-cream dream—dense, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth smooth. Pair it with a peach iced tea like Teavana Peach Green Tea, served over ice, and you’ve got a silky-fruity combo that’s pure sunshine. The tea’s gentle sweetness cuts through the richness of the cheese, while the stone fruit notes bring out Mt. Tam’s mellow, mushroomy undertones. Want to turn it up a notch? Add a splash of bourbon or peach schnapps for that warm-sunset feel.

2. Earl Grey Iced Tea + Aged Manchego

Aged Manchego (I used Murray’s 12-Month) has that nutty, crumbly texture and a salty-sweet finish. Earl Grey—made cold and steeped with extra bergamot—brought out the cheese’s deeper caramel tones. I sweetened the tea with honey and added a dash of gin, which dialed the whole thing up to "wow." If you love bold, unexpected pairings with a touch of elegance, this one’s for you.

3. Hibiscus Tea + Fresh Goat Cheese

I steeped Republic of Tea’s Natural Hibiscus and served it ice-cold with a squeeze of lime. The vibrant, floral tea almost fizzes in your mouth when paired with tangy goat cheese (I used Vermont Creamery’s Classic Chèvre). It’s bright, summery, and tastes like something you’d be served on a rooftop at golden hour. Want to go extra? Add a shot of tequila blanco and turn your pairing into a “tea-rita.”

4. Sweet Tea + Hook’s 5-Year Cheddar

The vibe: BBQ-ready. Southern comfort with a sharp edge.

Nothing says summer like sweet tea, and this one’s for your backyard get-togethers. I used classic Luzianne Sweet Tea, over-crushed ice, with a splash of spiced rum. It was bold enough to stand up to the tangy punch of Hook’s aged cheddar but smooth enough to balance it out. Add some candied pecans or smoked almonds on the side, and you’ve got a flavor combo that screams porch hangs and good vibes.

A Few Tips for Pairing Like a Pro

• Match intensity. Bold teas need bold cheeses. Delicate chèvre or mozzarella will get lost next to a smoky black tea unless it’s tempered with sweetener or fruit.

• Think contrast. Tart tea? Go creamy. Sweet tea? Try something sharp and salty. The play between textures and flavors makes the pairing sing.

• Chill your glassware. It sounds extra, but iced tea in a frosty glass makes a difference—especially when you’re serving it with rich cheeses on a hot day.

• Go boozy if you want. Adding alcohol to your iced tea gives it cocktail energy without full bar effort. Try rum, gin, bourbon, or tequila depending on your tea and cheese.

  
  

So, is cheese and iced tea the next great food pairing? After taste-testing my way through sweet, sharp, floral, and fizzy combos, I’m officially on board. It’s fresh, fun, and way more flexible than wine—plus, it plays well with both non-drinkers and cocktail lovers. Whether you’re building a board for a backyard hang or just want something new to sip with your favorite wedge, iced tea brings something totally unexpected to the table.

Bottom line: it’s not a replacement, it’s a reinvention. And it might just become your go-to summer ritual.