Vegan Green Tea Citrus Agua Fresca

Total time45 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time5 min

4.9

(15)

Bright, refreshing, and completely plant-based, this agua fresca is the kind of drink that makes you feel like you're sitting somewhere sunny even on an ordinary afternoon. Freshly squeezed orange and lime juice bring a vivid citrus punch, while steeped green tea adds a subtle, earthy depth that sets this apart from your average lemonade. Maple syrup does the sweetening here — no honey, no refined sugar — making it a genuinely animal-free option without any compromise on flavor. A pinch of fine salt might sound unexpected, but it quietly rounds out the brightness and makes every sip taste more alive. The technique of not squeezing the tea bags is a small but important detail that keeps the whole drink clean and smooth rather than bitter. Everything comes together in one pitcher, so it's as easy to make for a crowd as it is for a quiet afternoon at home. Poured over ice with a sprig of mint and a citrus slice, it looks as good as it tastes.

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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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