Citrus-Imbibed Green Tea Cooler
A refreshing cold beverage that imbibes zesty citrus flavors into smooth green tea for a revitalizing drink. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 15 minutes brings together green tea leaves, 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 60 calories and feeds 2, 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 green tea leaves
- 3 cups water
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 6 leaves mint leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 3 cups water to a boil and remove from heat. Add 2 tsp green tea leaves and steep for 4 minutes until infused and fragrant. Strain out the leaves.
- Step 2: Stir 2 tbsp honey into the hot tea until fully dissolved, then let the tea cool to room temperature, allowing the flavors to imbibe.
- Step 3: Add 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice and 1/4 cup fresh orange juice to the cooled tea and stir to combine.
- Step 4: Fill a tall glass with 1 cup ice cubes and 6 fresh mint leaves, then pour the citrus-imbibed green tea over the ice. Stir gently and serve chilled.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Imbibed Green Tea Cooler take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (10 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-Imbibed Green Tea Cooler?
Refrigerate any leftover citrus-imbibed green tea cooler 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-Imbibed Green Tea Cooler?
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-Imbibed Green Tea Cooler for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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-Imbibed Green Tea Cooler?
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.
