Citric Acid Free Ginger Lemon Iced Tea
Iced tea sounds simple enough, but store-bought versions and powdered mixes are notorious for sneaking in citric acid as a preservative or flavor enhancer — making this from-scratch approach a genuinely smart move. Here, bold black tea gets simmered with fresh ginger, which adds a warming, slightly spicy depth that makes this feel far more interesting than your average glass of iced tea. Fresh lemon juice from real lemons does all the brightening work, and maple syrup brings a gentle, rounded sweetness that ties everything together beautifully. The result is a drink that's refreshing, complex, and completely free of the additives that make so many packaged beverages off-limits. It's gorgeous served over ice with a few lemon slices and a sprig of mint, making it just as fitting for a casual afternoon as it is for entertaining guests.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the tea
- 6 cup water
- 4 black tea bags
- 1 oz fresh ginger (about a 2-inch piece), peeled and thinly sliced
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
For serving
- ice, for serving
- lemon slices, for serving (optional)
- fresh mint sprigs, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine 4 cups water and the sliced ginger in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, until the water is fragrant and lightly golden.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the tea bags and steep for 4 minutes, then remove and discard the tea bags.
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