Ginger-Lemongrass Iced Tea with Honey
A refreshing homemade iced tea infused with bright lemongrass and spicy ginger, lightly sweetened with honey for a soothing cool-down drink. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 20 minutes brings together water, black tea bags, 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 40 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 stalks, bruised and chopped fresh lemongrass stalks
- 1 inch piece, thinly sliced fresh ginger root
- 4 cups water
- 2 black tea bags
- 2 tbsp honey
- 4 slices lemon slices
- as needed ice cubes
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 4 cups water with 2 bruised and chopped lemongrass stalks and 1 inch thinly sliced fresh ginger root. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 10 minutes to extract the flavors.
- Step 2: Remove the saucepan from heat and add 2 black tea bags, steeping for 5 minutes until the tea is strong and fragrant. Remove the tea bags, then stir in 2 tbsp honey until completely dissolved.
- Step 3: Allow the tea to cool to room temperature, then strain out the ginger and lemongrass pieces. Pour the tea into a pitcher, add ice cubes, and garnish with 4 lemon slices before serving chilled.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ginger-Lemongrass Iced Tea with Honey take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (5 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Ginger-Lemongrass Iced Tea with Honey?
Refrigerate any leftover ginger-lemongrass iced tea with honey 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 Ginger-Lemongrass Iced Tea with 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 Ginger-Lemongrass Iced Tea with 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 Ginger-Lemongrass Iced Tea with Honey?
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.
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