Sparkling Ginger-Lemongrass Iced Tea
A bright, effervescent iced tea combining fragrant lemongrass and spicy ginger, perfect for a revitalizing boost on a hot day. This asian fusion-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 25 minutes brings together water, honey, chilled sparkling 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 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
- 2-inch piece, thinly sliced fresh ginger root
- 2, bruised and cut into 2-inch pieces lemongrass stalks
- 4 cups water
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 cups, chilled sparkling water
- 4, for garnish fresh lemon slices
- as needed ice cubes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine 4 cups water, 2-inch thinly sliced fresh ginger root, and 2 bruised lemongrass stalks cut into 2-inch pieces. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 15 minutes until the water is infused with the spicy ginger and citrusy lemongrass aromas.
- Step 3: Remove from heat and strain the tea into a heatproof pitcher, discarding solids. Stir in 3 tbsp honey until fully dissolved. Let the tea cool to room temperature.
- Step 4: Refrigerate the tea until chilled, about 1 hour. Just before serving, pour 2 cups chilled sparkling water into the pitcher and stir gently.
- Step 5: Serve over ice cubes in tall glasses, garnished with 1 lemon slice each for a bright finish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sparkling Ginger-Lemongrass Iced Tea take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Sparkling Ginger-Lemongrass Iced Tea?
Refrigerate any leftover sparkling ginger-lemongrass 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 Sparkling Ginger-Lemongrass 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 Sparkling Ginger-Lemongrass 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 Sparkling Ginger-Lemongrass Iced Tea?
Asian Fusion 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.
