Ginger-Mint Iced Green Tea with Citrus Zest

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

A refreshing iced green tea infused with fresh ginger and mint leaves, accented by bright citrus zest for a cooling, revitalizing drink. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 15 minutes brings together bags green tea bags, water, inch piece fresh ginger root 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 5 min Serves 2 60 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and add 2 green tea bags and 1 inch peeled and sliced fresh ginger root. Steep for 5 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
  2. Step 2: Remove tea bags and ginger slices. Stir in 1 tbsp honey until dissolved. Add 10 fresh mint leaves and let steep for another 3 minutes until mint aroma develops.
  3. Step 3: Strain the tea into a pitcher filled with 1 cup ice cubes. Add 1 tsp lemon zest and 1 tsp lime zest, stirring gently to combine. Serve chilled with additional mint leaves as garnish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Ginger-Mint Iced Green Tea with Citrus Zest 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 Ginger-Mint Iced Green Tea with Citrus Zest?

Refrigerate any leftover ginger-mint iced green tea with citrus zest 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-Mint Iced Green Tea with Citrus Zest?

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-Mint Iced Green Tea with Citrus Zest 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 Ginger-Mint Iced Green Tea with Citrus Zest?

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.