Lupin Free Green Tea Citrus Agua Fresca

Total time45 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time5 min

4.9

(15)

This refreshing drink is everything you want on a warm day — bright, lightly sweet, and layered with flavor from freshly squeezed orange and lime juice balanced against a delicate green tea base. The maple syrup dissolves right into the hot tea, giving it a gentle, rounded sweetness that plays beautifully with the citrus tang. A pinch of fine salt might sound unexpected in a cold drink, but it quietly sharpens every other flavor in the pitcher. The technique of steeping the tea bags without squeezing them keeps the whole thing clean and smooth rather than bitter, so the final result tastes genuinely polished. Because every ingredient here is a whole, recognizable food — fresh citrus, tea, maple syrup, water — there's no need to scan labels for hidden legume-derived additives or flour extenders that can sneak into packaged beverages. It comes together in stages that are mostly hands-off, making it an easy batch drink to prep ahead and keep cold until guests arrive. Serve it over ice with a sprig of mint and a citrus wheel for a presentation that looks far more effortful than it actually is.

About Fig

Fig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.

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.

Want the full recipe?

Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!