Celery Free Green Tea Citrus Agua Fresca
This refreshing pitcher drink layers the delicate, grassy notes of green tea with bright, freshly squeezed orange and lime juice for a combination that feels both sophisticated and effortlessly summery. Maple syrup does the sweetening here, dissolving smoothly into the warm tea and adding a subtle depth that plain sugar just can't match. A pinch of fine salt ties everything together, amplifying the citrus in a way that makes the whole drink taste more vibrant and alive. The technique is simple but thoughtful — steeping the tea without squeezing the bags keeps any bitterness out, so the final result is clean and smooth every single sip. For anyone navigating ingredient sensitivities, this recipe is wonderfully straightforward: every component is whole, recognizable, and free of the hidden additives that can sneak into store-bought beverages. Serve it over ice with a few citrus slices and a sprig of mint, and it looks stunning on a table without any extra effort. It's the kind of drink that disappears fast, so you might want to make a double batch.
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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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