Chilled Citrus Green Tea with Mint
A revitalizing iced green tea infused with fresh citrus and mint, lightly sweetened to balance the earthy undertones for a perfect summer refresher. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 10 minutes brings together loose leaf green tea, water, fresh lemon juice for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 30 calories and feeds 4, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 tsp loose leaf green tea
- 2 cups water
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
- 8 leaves fresh mint leaves
- 1 tbsp honey
- as needed ice cubes
- 2 slices for garnish lemon slices
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 2 cups of water to 175°F (80°C). Steep 2 tsp loose leaf green tea in the hot water for 3 minutes, then strain and discard the tea leaves.
- Step 2: While the tea is still warm, stir in 1 tbsp honey until fully dissolved. Allow the tea to cool to room temperature.
- Step 3: In a large pitcher, combine the cooled tea with 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp fresh orange juice, and 8 fresh mint leaves. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld.
- Step 4: To serve, fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the chilled tea over. Garnish each glass with 1 lemon slice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chilled Citrus Green Tea with Mint take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (10 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Chilled Citrus Green Tea with Mint?
Refrigerate any leftover chilled citrus green tea with mint in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chilled Citrus Green Tea with Mint?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Chilled Citrus Green Tea with Mint for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Chilled Citrus Green Tea with Mint?
General cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
