Spiced Citrus-Infused Iced Tea with Mint
A refreshing iced tea steeped with citrus slices and warming spices, brightened with fresh mint leaves. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 20 minutes brings together black tea bags, water, cinnamon stick 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 30 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
- 3 black tea bags
- 4 cups water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 4 slices orange slices
- 4 slices lemon slices
- 10 leaves fresh mint leaves
- 2 tbsp honey
- as needed ice cubes
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Add 1 cinnamon stick and 4 whole cloves, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes to infuse the spices.
- Step 2: Remove from heat and add 3 black tea bags, 4 orange slices, and 4 lemon slices. Steep for 8 minutes until the tea is strong and aromatic.
- Step 3: Remove tea bags, cinnamon stick, and cloves. Stir in 2 tbsp honey until dissolved. Allow the tea to cool for 10 minutes.
- Step 4: Pour the tea into a pitcher, add 10 fresh mint leaves and refrigerate until chilled.
- Step 5: Serve over ice cubes in tall glasses, garnished with additional mint leaves if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Citrus-Infused Iced Tea with Mint 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 Spiced Citrus-Infused Iced Tea with Mint?
Refrigerate any leftover spiced citrus-infused iced tea with 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 Spiced Citrus-Infused Iced Tea with 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 Spiced Citrus-Infused Iced Tea with 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 Spiced Citrus-Infused Iced Tea with 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.
