Coconut Free Green Tea Citrus Agua Fresca
Bright, refreshing, and built entirely from whole ingredients you can actually pronounce, this agua fresca is the kind of drink that makes a regular afternoon feel like a little occasion. Freshly squeezed orange and lime juice bring a punchy citrus backbone, while gently steeped green tea adds a subtle, earthy depth that keeps it from tasting like plain fruit punch. Maple syrup sweetens everything naturally, and a pinch of salt rounds out the flavors in a way that's surprisingly satisfying. Many store-bought agua frescas and flavored drinks sneak in coconut water or coconut-derived sweeteners, so making your own means you stay completely in control of what goes into the glass. The technique here is simple but thoughtful — steeping the tea just long enough and skipping the squeeze on the bags keeps any bitterness out of the final drink. Served over ice with a few slices of citrus and a sprig of fresh mint, it looks gorgeous without any extra effort. It's the kind of recipe you'll want to keep on rotation all season long.
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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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