Nitrate & Nitrite 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, even if you're just standing at your kitchen counter. Pale gold-green from gently steeped green tea, it gets a bright, zippy lift from freshly squeezed orange and lime juice — no shortcuts, no concentrates, just real fruit. A touch of maple syrup brings just enough sweetness to round everything out, and a pinch of fine salt quietly ties all the flavors together in a way that's surprisingly satisfying. Every single ingredient here is clean and straightforward, which makes this a genuinely easy choice for anyone avoiding processed additives like preservatives or curing agents that sneak into so many packaged beverages. There's no mystery on the label because there is no label — you're making it yourself from scratch. Served over ice with a sprig of mint and a citrus slice, it's as pretty as it is delicious, and it scales up beautifully for a crowd.
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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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