27 Celestial Seasonings Teas, Ranked Worst To Best
We all love our coffee, but sometimes, you need to switch up your caffeine source—and sometimes, you don't even want an energy boost but are still craving a hot drink. When that's the case, tea is the way to go. Think you don't like the stuff? It's probably because you just haven't yet found the right tea for you. Celestial Seasonings is one of the most prominent tea brands on store shelves, and the company boasts an absolutely dizzying array of flavors. Whether you prefer fruity, herbal teas without any caffeine, or you're the type who enjoys strong, over-steeped black tea that will keep you feeling productive for hours on end, Celestial Seasonings have you covered.
But how do you know which teas from the brand taste the best? A lot of it comes down to personal preferences, but if you ask us, there are definitely some flavors that are better than others. We've ranked some of the most popular options from Celestial Seasonings from worst to best, so you know which ones to indulge in and which to avoid. Use this list as a guide to point you toward a tea flavor that's sure to please.
27. Candy Cane Lane
If you want to feel like you're eating Christmas decorations, go ahead and try the Candy Cane Lane tea from Celestial Seasonings. It's a decaffeinated green tea, which is strangely paired with peppermint, vanilla, and cinnamon. These flavors do not come together in a coherent combo — you're left with a vague sense of the holiday season, but flavor-wise, most of us are going to want something a bit simpler and more streamlined than this one.
26. Mint Magic
We get it — some people love mint tea, and there are times when it makes sense. But if you're looking for a subtle mint hot beverage, you're probably not going to want to go for Celestial Seasonings' Mint Magic. It combines both spearmint and peppermint for an intensely minty experience. Then, cinnamon and orange peel add an extra layer of flavor. The latter ingredients seem like an afterthought, and they really can't shine when they're being overtaken by so much mint.
25. Caramel Apple Dream
Are you full but still feel like you want dessert? You may want to try some Caramel Apple Dream tea from Celestial Seasonings. With its mixture of sweet apple, cinnamon, caramel, and maple seasonings, this flavor definitely tastes rich. For us, though, it's a little too much, especially when it's on its own. If you're still interested in trying this tea flavor, we suggest adding milk to it to add some body to complement the intensity of the taste.
24. Cinnamon Express
When it's cold out, and you're freezing, you need something powerful and strong to drink to warm you up. The Cinnamon Express flavor from Celestial Seasonings definitely fits the bill. The strong black tea is made even bolder by adding cinnamon and other spices like chicory and cloves. It has an especially rich flavor, and the variety will definitely give you the energy you want. When it comes to the flavor, though, this one just isn't subtle enough for our taste.
23. Sleepytime Peach
Of all of Celestial Seasonings' products, its Sleepytime line is probably one of the most well-known. But we'll have to pass when it comes to the Sleepytime peach tea. The flavor of chamomile, spearmint, and lemongrass is given a bold boost with the addition of ripe yellow peaches. The only problem? This tea doesn't taste like something you should drink right before bed. The peachiness gives it a zing that's almost energizing. We'd suggest trying one of the other Sleepytime flavors before settling on this one.
22. Sweet Harvest Pumpkin
We live in a time when pumpkin-flavored everything dominates store shelves, and the tea aisle is no exception. That's why we weren't surprised to discover the Sweet Harvest Pumpkin flavor of Celestial Seasonings tea. We have to give it to the brand — it actually did make this pumpkin tea taste like actual pumpkin. But is that really a good thing? For us, the flavor fell short, even though it also included cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. However, if you're a die-hard pumpkin spice latte person, it may be just what you're looking for.
21. Fireside Vanilla Spice
For those looking for the coziest, toastiest flavors of tea, the Fireside Vanilla Spice may be what you're looking for. This option mostly revolves around cinnamon and vanilla, but there's some ginger and cardamom in there, too. Is this the worst tea we've ever tried? Definitely not. But this is another one that almost requires the addition of milk — the flavor profile is too intense for such a light-bodied beverage. Celestial Seasonings offers better options, though, so we probably wouldn't bother.
20. White chocolate peppermint
We'll give it to Celestial Seasonings for this: The white chocolate peppermint flavor isn't something you'll see everywhere. White tea is complemented by a hint of cocoa, which isn't super common in most tea blends. There's also some peppermint in there, as the name suggests, and this is where it loses us. It's just slightly too toothpaste-y for our taste, but we don't completely hate the cocoa and peppermint together. If you're looking for something warming that also feels indulgent, you may want to take the risk and try it.
19. Gingerbread Spice
If you're like most people, you probably eat your gingerbread — not drink it. But all that can change if you're open to trying the Gingerbread Spice flavor from Celestial Seasonings. Ginger and cinnamon play a starring role here, and they work well together if that's the kind of flavor profile you're looking for. This tea tasted a bit too cookie-like, but if you want your tea experience to feel like dessert, this may be just what you're after.
18. Sangria Zinger
This herbal, caffeine-free tea is what you might want to reach for when you're craving a real sangria but can't indulge. But the Sangria Zinger isn't quite as good as we expected it to be. The combination of hibiscus, pineapple, citrus, and blood orange is a delicious combo, but it doesn't do much for us when it's served hot. Instead, we think this tea is much more pleasant when it's chilled. That takes extra time and an additional step, which is why this one doesn't earn a higher spot on our ranking.
17. Authentic green
We're not going to mention how we absolutely despise the word "authentic" when it comes to food and beverages, but the authentic green tea from Celestial Seasonings is, if you ask us, just average. For a tea that comes in a tea bag, it's relatively flavorful and has the kick of caffeine you want to get your day off to a good start. However, there are other brands out there that have more concentrated, flavorful green teas. That said, we certainly wouldn't turn this one down if it was offered to us.
16. Lemon Zinger
Simplicity is a positive trait for tea to have, so we were excited to try the Lemon Zinger flavor from Celestial Seasonings. It definitely has that bright acidity that makes tea taste refreshing, whether it's served hot or cold. However, the addition of hibiscus (which is present in all of the brand's Zinger teas) adds an extra layer of flavor that doesn't really need to be there. It's not a bad combo, but plain lemon tea may be a simpler option that would appeal to a wider range of tea lovers.
15. Chamomile
Chamomile is one of those nearly universally beloved flavors. It's simple enough that it's desirable to a large swath of palates, but it also has a subtle complexity that's hard to put your finger on. That's why we're fans of Celestial Seasonings' chamomile tea. This basic flavor is a staple, and we're glad that this prolific brand has it. There are companies out there that offer fresher chamomile teas, but this one will do if you don't tend to frequent tea shops.
14. Cinnamon apple spice
We're not fans of all of Celestial Seasonings' cinnamon-spiked flavors, but one that we definitely don't mind is the cinnamon apple spice. For us, this is a staple tea during the colder months of the year, especially as the weather transitions from fall to winter. The cinnamon and apple flavors come together to create a warming flavor profile that feels somewhat festive without slapping you in the face with notes of holiday-themed potpourri. This one, too, is better with some milk, but we think it's worth the extra work in this case.
13. Roastaroma
Do you love the taste of coffee but just can't get down with that much caffeine? It's a problem that so many coffee lovers face. If you're looking for a caffeine-free alternative, you may want to turn to Celestial Seasonings' Roastaroma. This tea is billed as an alternative to coffee, and while it doesn't really taste that similar, it's full-bodied in a way that feels more substantial than most tea. If you're a regular coffee drinker, this one may not hit the spot, but if you're hunting for a viable alternative, there's a good chance you'll enjoy this unique flavor.
12. Peppermint
We know we haven't been that kind to many of the mint-heavy offerings from Celestial Seasonings, but we must admit that we enjoy the peppermint flavor. Why does this one work while many of the others do not? It all comes down to simplicity. While some of Celestial Seasonings' other mint flavors are marred by all kinds of strange additions, the peppermint tea doesn't fall victim to the same fate. With nothing to distract from the peppermint, you can truly appreciate what this tea has to offer.
11. India spice chai
Just for clarification, you don't have to call it chai tea — "chai" already means tea! That said, Celestial Seasonings' India spice chai is one of the best flavors of the bunch. How could ginger, cloves, and cardamom not come together to make something special? However, this one doesn't rank higher on our list because there is so much amazing chai out there that doesn't come close to the stuff you steep in a little bag. If you can't get your hands on that stuff, though, this India spice chai will do the trick in a pinch.
10. Fast Lane
Trying to take a break from your crippling coffee habit? Many of us have been there. Luckily, transitioning from coffee to tea is doable when you have something like Celestial Seasonings' Fast Lane flavor. This tea is caffeinated enough that you won't even miss your normal morning cup of joe, and the cola nut and eleuthero add an extra layer of richness that makes every sip that much more satisfying. Is it coffee? No, but it's close, and it's an excellent alternative if you're a caffeine junky (like so many of us are).
9. Country Peach Passion
We may not like the Sleepytime peach tea much, but we are big fans of the Country Peach Passion flavor. Chamomile and citrus pair wonderfully with the bold peach that gives this product its signature fruity scent. The peach flavor here is definitely strong, but in this case, that's a good thing — the chamomile plays a supporting role, and its light taste doesn't overpower the dominant peach. This flavor is delicious iced, but we like it hot as well. It's particularly good on a cold spring morning.
8. Mandarin Orange Spice
Is there anything better than mandarin-flavored tea? We guess Celestial Seasonings thought so because they decided to add a blend of spices to this otherwise citrusy and fruit-forward tea flavor. Mandarin Orange Spice is unexpected and interesting — you'll want to keep sipping even after the novelty wears off. Cloves and coriander are light enough not to overpower the mandarin but intense enough to give this tea a kick you may not expect.
7. Honey lemon ginseng
Subtle tea flavors are where it's at, and that's why we love the honey lemon ginseng from Celestial Seasonings. It all starts with white tea (unexpected!) blended with green tea, which is then combined with the requisite honey and lemon flavors. It all comes together in an incredibly smooth, subtle, and delicious way, offering just the right amount of caffeine to get you going for the day without making you feel anxious or overwhelmed. What's not to love?
6. Bengal Spice
Love chai but just can't handle the caffeine? Celestial Seasonings' Bengal Spice flavor was literally made for you. Cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves come together to create something special — without waking you up in the process. This tea is intensely flavored but not so much so that it's difficult to drink. This is an easy-sipping, deeply indulgent tea that we'll keep coming back to again and again when we need a quick pick-me-up.
5. Watermelon Lime Zinger
Now, this is a flavor you're not going to encounter every day, even if you drink a lot of tea. It's Celestial Seasonings' Watermelon Lime Zinger, and it's one of the more unique tea flavors we've tried. The watermelon offers a touch of juiciness, which works exceptionally well with the hibiscus — a signature of the Zinger tea line. Then, the extra spritz of lime adds the refreshing acidity we all want. Of course, you can drink this tea hot, but we prefer it iced, preferably on a breezy beach with a good book.
4. Lemon Lavender Lane
There are some flavors that go together exceptionally well. And although lemon and lavender may not be the first combo that comes to mind, it is one of the more enjoyable combinations we've ever tried, especially when it comes to Celestial Seasonings' Lemon Lavender Lane tea. This caffeine-free herbal tea balances the floral qualities of the lavender with the acidity of the lemon, giving you a balanced and intriguing flavor while still maintaining a level of simplicity — it's delicious.
3. Earl Grey crème
Not everyone likes Earl Grey tea, but if you're a fan, then you have to try the Earl Grey crème from Celestial Seasonings. It starts with the rich, luscious, bergamot-spiked Earl Grey that some of us are so fond of, and then vanilla is added to the equation for even more richness and complexity. This stuff is great on its own, but we think this is the perfect tea to add milk to — it gives it some much-needed body that allows you to truly appreciate the complex flavor profile.
2. Vermont Maple Ginger
There's nothing like sweet and spicy flavors mixed together; luckily, that's just what you'll get when you try the Vermont Maple Ginger tea from Celestial Seasonings. The sweetness from the maple sugar might be cloying on its own, but the spiciness from the ginger cuts through all that sugar perfectly, giving you a delightfully balanced beverage for those cold days throughout the year. We don't love all the warming flavors from Celestial Seasonings, but this one is, by far, our favorite.
1. Raspberry Zinger
Raspberry is one of those flavors that just taste universally refreshing. We would drink a plain raspberry tea any day of the week, but to make things more interesting, we'd prefer to opt for the Raspberry Zinger from Celestial Seasonings. That's because it features hibiscus along with the fruit, offering a floral note to the otherwise fruity flavors. This is one of our favorite teas to chill — add a lemon or lime to the rim of your glass to make things even more exciting.