Citrus-Basil Iced Green Tea
A bright and herbaceous iced green tea infused with fresh citrus and fragrant basil leaves for a revitalizing beverage. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 10 minutes brings together green tea bags, water, honey 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
- 3 green tea bags
- 4 cups water
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
- 10 leaves fresh basil leaves
- as needed ice cubes
- for garnish lemon slices
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 cups water to a near boil at 190°F, then remove from heat. Steep 3 green tea bags in the hot water for 3 minutes until fragrant but not bitter.
- Step 2: Remove tea bags and stir in 2 tbsp honey until fully dissolved. Allow tea to cool to room temperature.
- Step 3: Once cooled, stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp fresh orange juice, and 10 fresh basil leaves. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to infuse flavors.
- Step 4: To serve, fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the infused green tea over the ice. Garnish each glass with 1 lemon slice and a fresh basil leaf if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Basil Iced Green Tea take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (5 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Citrus-Basil Iced Green Tea?
Refrigerate any leftover citrus-basil iced green tea 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 Citrus-Basil Iced Green Tea?
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 Citrus-Basil Iced Green Tea 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 Citrus-Basil Iced Green Tea?
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.
