Honey-Lavender Iced Tea with Lemon and Mint
A floral and lightly sweetened iced tea featuring honey and lavender, balanced with fresh lemon and mint for a soothing summer drink. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 20 minutes brings together dried lavender buds, black tea bags, hot water 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
- 1 tsp dried lavender buds
- 2 black tea bags
- 4 cups hot water
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 8 leaves fresh mint leaves
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 4 slices lemon slices
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 cups hot water to a boil. Remove from heat and add 1 tsp dried lavender buds and 2 black tea bags. Steep for 5 minutes until fragrant and strong, then strain out the lavender and remove tea bags.
- Step 2: While the tea is still warm, stir in 3 tbsp honey until fully dissolved. Allow the tea to cool to room temperature.
- Step 3: Once cooled, stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and add 8 fresh mint leaves. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Step 4: To serve, fill glasses with 2 cups ice cubes, pour the chilled tea over the ice, and garnish each glass with a lemon slice and a sprig of mint.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Lavender Iced Tea with Lemon and Mint take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (15 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 Tea with Lemon and Mint?
Refrigerate any leftover honey-lavender iced tea with lemon and mint 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 Tea with Lemon and Mint?
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 Tea with Lemon and Mint 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 Tea with Lemon and Mint?
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.