Cold-Brewed Farro Tea with Citrus and Honey

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

An invigorating cold-brewed tea using malted farro grains, enhanced with citrus zest and a touch of honey for sweetness. This American-inspired rice and grain recipe, ready in about 725 minutes, pairs malted farro grains, cold filtered water, orange zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 60 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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: 5 min Cook: 720 min Serves 4 American cuisine 60 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 1/4 cup malted farro grains into a clean glass jar or pitcher. Pour in 4 cups cold filtered water and stir gently to combine.
  2. Step 2: Cover and refrigerate for 12 hours to allow the grains to steep and release their nutty flavor without bitterness.
  3. Step 3: After steeping, strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve into a clean container. Discard the grains.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 tsp orange zest, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 2 tbsp honey until the honey dissolves completely.
  5. Step 5: Serve the cold-brewed farro tea over 1 cup ice cubes and garnish with 4 fresh mint leaves for a refreshing aroma and flavor.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cold-Brewed Farro Tea with Citrus and Honey take to make?

Total time is about 725 minutes (5 min prep + 720 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Cold-Brewed Farro Tea with Citrus and Honey?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep malted farro grains from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cold-Brewed Farro Tea with Citrus and Honey?

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 Cold-Brewed Farro Tea with Citrus and Honey 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 Cold-Brewed Farro Tea with Citrus and Honey?

American rice & grains 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.

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