Citrus-Infused Iced Green Tea with Fresh Herbs

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A cooling, lightly sweetened iced green tea infused with fresh lemon, orange, and mint for a perfect summer refreshment. This asian-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 15 minutes brings together bags green tea bags, boiling water, whole, thinly sliced lemon 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 40 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 5 min Serves 6 Asian cuisine 40 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pour 6 cups of boiling water over 4 green tea bags in a heatproof pitcher. Steep for 5 minutes until the tea is fragrant and slightly bitter but not astringent.
  2. Step 2: Remove tea bags and stir in 3 tbsp honey while the tea is still warm until fully dissolved.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 whole thinly sliced lemon, 1 whole thinly sliced orange, and 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves to the tea. Stir gently.
  4. Step 4: Let the tea cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and chill thoroughly.
  5. Step 5: To serve, fill glasses with 1/2 cup ice cubes each and pour the chilled citrus green tea over the ice. Garnish with extra mint leaves or citrus slices if desired. Enjoy a refreshing summer drink.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Citrus-Infused Iced Green Tea with Fresh Herbs 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-Infused Iced Green Tea with Fresh Herbs?

Refrigerate any leftover citrus-infused iced green tea with fresh herbs 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-Infused Iced Green Tea with Fresh Herbs?

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-Infused Iced Green Tea with Fresh Herbs for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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-Infused Iced Green Tea with Fresh Herbs?

Asian 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.