What Tea Goes With Pumpkin Pie? Thanksgiving Tea Pairings

Thanksgiving dinner is a marathon, and pie is the finish line. The table gets cleared, someone freshens up the beverages, and a second wave of plates comes out. This year, don't forget to put the kettle on. People ask us what tea goes with pumpkin pie more than almost any other pairing question in November, so we put together a full list, along with pecan, apple, and the rest of the dessert table.

The short version: pie wants a tea with some backbone. A malty black tea stands up to a creamy pumpkin custard. A big, bold black tea keeps a sweet pecan pie in check. And a bright Earl Grey wakes up a warm slice of apple.  

What tea goes with pumpkin pie?

Pumpkin pie is custard at heart, soft and creamy, with cinnamon, ginger, and clove doing most of the talking. You want a tea that can match those spices or cut through the richness, not one that piles on more sweetness.

Heritage Blend, the classic

Heritage Blend Black Tea is our Scottish Breakfast, malty and full-bodied with a hint of maple. It's brisk enough to clear your palate between bites of custard, and the maple sits right next to the pie spices like it was invited. Add a splash of milk and it tastes like the whipped cream came in the cup.

Stargazer Caramel Maté Chai, for the spice lovers

If you like your pumpkin pie with extra whipped cream and a heavy hand on the cinnamon, pour Stargazer Caramel Maté Chai. Cardamom, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon echo the spices in the filling, and a swirl of caramel rounds it all out. Steep it strong with milk and honey for a chai latte next to your slice. It has a gentle kick from the maté and a faint whisp of smoke that pairs so delicately you might miss it.

Caramel Snickerdoodle Herbal, for the kids' table

Caramel Snickerdoodle Herbal Tea is caffeine-free and smells like a cookie fresh out of the oven, with cinnamon, vanilla, and caramel over green rooibos. Add warm milk and the little ones get their own fancy drink while the grown-ups linger at the table.

The best tea for pecan pie

Pecan pie is the sweetest slice on the table. A sweet tea next to it can feel like too much of a good thing, so go bold and let the tea balance the sugar.

Builder's Blend, our favorite match

Builder's Blend Black Tea is the maltiest tea on our shelf, our take on a classic British builder's tea with smooth caramel notes. That deep, malty body stands up to all the sugar in a pecan pie, and the caramel meets its gooey center. Brew it strong, add milk, and skip the sugar. The pie brings plenty.

Decaf No Obligations, for after the dishes are done

Toasted nuts and pecan pie belong together. Decaf No Obligations Black Tea brings roasted hazelnut and almond, sweet cinnamon, and buttery vanilla, all on a decaf black tea. You get a real cup of tea with your second slice, and you'll still sleep.

Tea for apple pie

Apple pie is tart, buttery, and warm, and it's often wearing a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It's the most forgiving pie to pair, so you can go bright or go cozy.

Creme Brulee Earl Grey, for a bright contrast

Bergamot and tart apple are an easy match. Creme Brulee Earl Grey adds a velvety vanilla note on top of the citrus, so it plays nicely with apple pie à la mode too. It's the cup to pour when the meal was heavy and you want something that tastes light.

Cinny Roll, for the matching set

Cinny Roll Black Tea has caramelized cinnamon and apple on a black tea base, so it tastes like a cinnamon roll and agrees with every bite of apple pie. Add cream if you like your pie with ice cream. Leave it black if you'd rather let the crust shine.

Pairings for the rest of the dessert table

• 🥧 Sweet potato pie: Decaf Toasted Marshmallow Black Tea, a nod to the marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes from dinner, with creamy vanilla and no caffeine.
• 🥧 Sugar cream pie: House Blend Black Tea, a crisp English Breakfast with smooth vanilla. The vanilla echoes the pie's sweet cream filling, and the brisk black tea keeps all that sugar from taking over.
• 🥧 Too full for pie: Porch Sippin' Pecan Black Tea drinks like a slice of pecan pie, no fork needed.
• 🥧 Leftover pie for breakfast: Hazelnut Coffee Cake Black Tea, apple, cinnamon, and hazelnut for the quiet Friday morning when the house is still asleep.

How to serve tea with Thanksgiving dessert

Brew two pots: one caffeinated and one decaf or caffeine-free. That way everyone has a choice without you taking orders across the table. Heritage Blend and Caramel Snickerdoodle make an easy pair that covers almost every pie.

• Use a flat teaspoon of tea per cup.
• Steep black and decaf teas for three to five minutes.
• Give herbal blends five to seven minutes to bring out the flavor.
• Set out milk, honey, and a few cinnamon sticks so people can make their cup their own.

One ounce of loose leaf makes 15 to 20 cups, so a single bag will see a crowd through dessert. Put the kettle on when the dinner plates come off the table, and the tea will be ready right when the pie is.

Find your Thanksgiving tea

The best tea for Thanksgiving is the one that keeps everyone at the table a little longer. Browse our dessert teas for more pie-friendly flavors, or our decaf black teas if your crowd stays up late. For the cup after the pie, our after-dinner teas have you covered, and if you want to go all in on pie flavor, try our Pecan Pie Tea Latte.

Frequently asked questions

What tea goes with pumpkin pie?

A malty black tea like Heritage Blend is the classic pick, because it cuts through the creamy custard. If you love the pie spices, Stargazer Caramel Maté Chai echoes the cinnamon, ginger, and clove. For a caffeine-free option, Caramel Snickerdoodle Herbal is a cozy match.

What tea goes with pecan pie?

Pecan pie is very sweet, so pair it with a bold, malty black tea. Builder's Blend is our top pick because it balances the sugar, and Decaf No Obligations brings toasted nut flavors without the caffeine.

What is the best tea to serve at Thanksgiving?

Serve one caffeinated tea and one decaf or caffeine-free tea so everyone has a choice. Heritage Blend and Caramel Snickerdoodle Herbal pair with nearly every pie on the table.

Is there a decaf tea that goes with pie?

Yes. Decaf No Obligations pairs well with pecan pie, and Decaf Toasted Marshmallow is lovely with sweet potato pie. Both are decaf black teas, so you get a real tea flavor late in the evening.

Should you add milk to tea with pie?

For pumpkin and pecan pie, a splash of milk in a malty black tea is lovely and mirrors the whipped cream. With apple pie, try Earl Grey on its own first, since the bright bergamot plays so well against tart apple.