Mint and Lemon Iced Tea
A crisp, refreshing iced tea infused with fresh mint and bright lemon, invoking the chill and freshness of an eternal winter. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 20 minutes brings together water, black tea bags, leaves fresh mint leaves 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 50 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
- 4 black tea bags
- 15 leaves fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 3 tbsp honey
- 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 water to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and steep 4 black tea bags with 15 fresh mint leaves for 6 minutes until fragrant and flavorful.
- Step 2: Remove the tea bags and mint leaves, then stir in 3 tbsp honey and 1/4 cup lemon juice while the tea is still warm until honey dissolves completely.
- Step 3: Let the tea cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour until chilled.
- Step 4: Fill 4 glasses with 2 cups ice cubes, pour the chilled tea over the ice, and garnish each glass with a lemon slice and a fresh mint sprig before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mint and Lemon Iced Tea take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 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 Mint and Lemon Iced Tea?
Refrigerate any leftover mint and lemon iced 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 Mint and Lemon Iced 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 Mint and Lemon Iced 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 Mint and Lemon Iced Tea?
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.
