Sparkling Basil-Lemon Iced Tea

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-24 · Updated 2026-07-24

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A bright and uplifting iced tea featuring fresh basil and lemon, sparkling with effervescence for a rejuvenating drink. This recipe, ready in about 15 minutes, brings together black tea bags, boiling water, fresh basil 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 45 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 5 min Serves 4 Cocktails cuisine 45 cal/serving

Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

3 black tea bags
3 cups boiling water
10 fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tbsp honey
2 cups sparkling water
to serve ice cubes
for garnish lemon slices

Bar tools worth buying for drinks like this → Best Bar Tools for 2026: Shakers, Jiggers & Strainers Worth Buying

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

HENCKELS Statement Razor-Sharp 20-Piece Knife Set with Block, Chef Knife, Bread Knife, German Engineered Knife Informed by over 100 Years of Mastery, Natural
Buy on Amazon →

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

Step 1: Steep 3 black tea bags in 3 cups boiling water for 5 minutes, then remove the tea bags and stir in 2 tbsp honey until dissolved. Allow the tea to cool to room temperature.
Step 2: Add 10 fresh basil leaves and 1/4 cup lemon juice to the cooled tea, stirring gently to release the basil aroma. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to chill and infuse.
Step 3: Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the basil-lemon tea halfway up. Top each glass with 1/2 cup sparkling water to add effervescence.
Step 4: Garnish with lemon slices and a fresh basil leaf. Serve immediately for a revitalizing and stimulating iced tea perfect for hot days.