Barley Free Green Tea Citrus Agua Fresca
This refreshing drink is everything you want on a warm day — bright, lightly sweet, and layered with the kind of citrus flavor that wakes you right up. Freshly squeezed orange and lime juice form the backbone, balanced by a delicate green tea base and just enough maple syrup to round out the tartness without tipping into sugary territory. A pinch of salt might sound unexpected in a cold drink, but it quietly amplifies every other flavor in the pitcher. The whole thing comes together with simple, whole ingredients — no grain-derived additives, no hidden fillers, nothing that would raise a flag for anyone avoiding barley or other grains. Steeping the tea just right and skipping the squeeze on the bags keeps the flavor clean and smooth rather than bitter. Poured over ice with a sprig of mint and a citrus wheel, it looks like something you'd order at a nice café, but it's genuinely easy to pull off at home. Make a big pitcher and keep it in the fridge — it disappears fast.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the green tea base
- 4 cups water
- 4 green tea bags
- 3 tbsp maple syrup, plus more to taste
For the citrus blend
- ¾ cup fresh orange juice (from about 2 medium oranges)
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice (from about 3 limes)
- 2 cups cold water
- ¼ tsp fine salt
For serving
- 1 cup ice cubes, for serving
- 4 thin orange or lime slices, for garnish (optional)
- 4 fresh mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan, then remove from the heat. Add the green tea bags and steep for 3 minutes, until the tea is a clear, pale gold-green color. Remove and discard the bags — do not squeeze them, as this releases bitter tannins.
- 2
Stir the maple syrup into the hot tea until fully dissolved. Let the sweetened tea cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes, then refrigerate until cold, at least 10 minutes.
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