BHA & BHT Free Green Tea Citrus Iced Tea
This refreshing iced tea is bright, lightly sweet, and layered with the kind of citrus flavor that makes you want to pour a second glass before the first one is even finished. Every ingredient here is whole and recognizable — green tea, fresh-squeezed lemon and orange juice, zest, and maple syrup — so there's no need to flip over a bottle and squint at a preservative list. That matters more than it sounds, because BHA and BHT show up quietly in bottled teas, flavored syrups, and even some packaged citrus drinks, making store-bought options a bit of a minefield. Brewing your own from scratch sidesteps all of that completely. The technique is worth noting too: steeping the green tea at 175°F rather than a full boil keeps the flavor clean and mellow, so the citrus can actually shine instead of fighting bitterness. Maple syrup dissolves beautifully into the warm tea and adds a gentle depth that plain sugar just doesn't bring. It's an elegant, fuss-free drink that works for a quiet afternoon at home or as something genuinely impressive to set out for guests.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 cups water
- 4 green tea bags
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice (from about 1 medium orange)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp orange zest
For serving
- 2 cups ice cubes
- lemon or orange slices, for garnish (optional)
- fresh mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Bring 4 cups of water to 175°F (80°C) in a medium saucepan — just below a simmer, with small bubbles beginning to form at the bottom. Remove from heat.
- 2
Add the green tea bags and steep for 3 minutes, then remove and discard the bags. Do not squeeze the bags, as this releases bitter tannins.
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