Beef Free Green Tea Citrus Agua Fresca
This refreshing agua fresca is the kind of drink that makes you feel like you're sitting somewhere sunny and unhurried, glass in hand. Freshly squeezed orange and lime juice bring a bright, tangy backbone, while gently steeped green tea adds a subtle earthiness that elevates this well beyond a basic lemonade. Maple syrup sweetens everything naturally, and a pinch of fine salt quietly ties all the flavors together in a way that's surprisingly sophisticated. The technique here matters — steeping the tea for exactly three minutes and skipping the squeeze on the bags keeps any bitterness out of the final drink. Everything comes together in a large pitcher, making it easy to scale up for a crowd or keep a batch chilling in the fridge for the week. A few ice cubes, a sprig of fresh mint, and a thin citrus slice on the rim turn a simple pour into something genuinely beautiful. It's completely plant-based and free from any animal products, so it works for virtually any table without a second thought.
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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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