Honey-Lavender Iced Green Tea with Lemon Slices
A floral and lightly sweetened iced green tea infused with honey and dried lavender, perfect for hot summer afternoons. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 15 minutes brings together loose leaf green tea, dried culinary lavender buds, 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 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
- 3 tbsp loose leaf green tea
- 1 tsp dried culinary lavender buds
- 3 tbsp honey
- 6 cups, divided water
- 1 medium, thinly sliced lemon
- as needed ice cubes
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 cups of water to a gentle boil and remove from heat. Add 3 tbsp loose leaf green tea and 1 tsp dried lavender buds to the hot water, cover, and steep for 4 minutes until fragrant and lightly tinted.
- Step 2: Strain the tea into a heatproof pitcher, discarding tea leaves and lavender. Stir in 3 tbsp honey while the tea is still warm until fully dissolved.
- Step 3: Add 2 cups cold water to the pitcher to dilute and cool the tea. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until chilled.
- Step 4: To serve, fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the chilled honey-lavender green tea over them. Garnish each glass with 2-3 thin lemon slices for a bright, citrusy contrast.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Lavender Iced Green Tea with Lemon Slices 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 Honey-Lavender Iced Green Tea with Lemon Slices?
Refrigerate any leftover honey-lavender iced green tea with lemon slices 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 Honey-Lavender Iced Green Tea with Lemon Slices?
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 Honey-Lavender Iced Green Tea with Lemon Slices 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 Honey-Lavender Iced Green Tea with Lemon Slices?
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.
