Iced Citrus-Herb Mountain Tea
A bright and invigorating iced herbal tea combining lemon, orange, and fresh rosemary for crisp mountain-air freshness. This recipe, ready in about 15 minutes, brings together water, black tea bags, fresh rosemary sprigs 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 35 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
- 4 cups water
- 2 black tea bags
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary sprigs
- 4 slices lemon slices
- 4 slices orange slices
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 cups ice cubes
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a kettle, then remove from heat and add 2 black tea bags and 2 fresh rosemary sprigs. Steep for 8 minutes until fragrant and flavorful.
- Step 2: Remove the tea bags and rosemary sprigs, then stir in 2 tbsp honey until dissolved.
- Step 3: Transfer the tea to a pitcher and add 4 lemon slices and 4 orange slices. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to chill and infuse.
- Step 4: To serve, fill glasses with 2 cups ice cubes and pour the chilled tea over the ice, adding a lemon or rosemary garnish if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Iced Citrus-Herb Mountain Tea take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (5 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Iced Citrus-Herb Mountain Tea?
Refrigerate any leftover iced citrus-herb mountain tea 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 Iced Citrus-Herb Mountain Tea?
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 Iced Citrus-Herb Mountain Tea 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 Iced Citrus-Herb Mountain Tea?
Cocktails 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.
