There’s nothing like a refreshing glass of iced tea when the temperatures start rising. But if it’s your first time in France, beware that the “iced tea” on the menu probably isn’t what you think it is.
First, if it’s a French menu and the beverage is listed as Ice Tea, it’s probably Lipton or Nestea brand “Ice Tea” in a can or bottle. Industrial iced tea might not bother you (it can’t be worse than carbonated soft drinks, right?)
But if you don’t look closely at the label before taking a swig, you may be unpleasantly surprised to find that its peach flavored. No, you didn’t ask for peach, and the menu didn’t say peach. But in France pêche is the default flavor of iced tea. In the US — unless maybe you’re from the South — it’s usually lemon. And they have lemon (and raspberry and mango) flaor in France, but that’s not necessarily what you’ll get in a café.
So how do you get actual iced tea? Look for “Thé glacé maison” and ask the server if it’s from a bottle or made fresh. Then ask if it’s nature (unflavored), citron (lemon) or pêche (peach), if you have a preference.
I’ve had real iced tea at Ladurée and Carette (pictured on the left), both which are tearooms, and both times they were unflavored and unsweetened. In this case they bring the sugar for you to sweeten it yourself. If you’ve never made your own iced tea, you might be a bit humbled to discover just how much sugar you have to put in there to get it to taste “normal”. I just drink it without sugar, a perfect accompaniment to the rich chocolate pastries I can’t resist!
Hi,I'm from the American South; iced tea isn't flavored—ever. Some people squeeze a small lemon slice in their tea or garnish it with a sprig of fresh mint, but no flavoring.