Citric Acid Free Green Tea Citrus Iced Tea
This refreshing iced tea is bright, floral, and just sweet enough to feel like a treat on a warm afternoon. The green tea is steeped low and slow at 175°F to coax out its delicate grassy notes without any bitterness, then balanced with maple syrup for a naturally rounded sweetness. What makes this recipe work so well for avoiding processed citric acid is that every drop of citrus flavor comes straight from freshly squeezed lemons and oranges, plus their zest — no packaged concentrates, no additives, nothing hidden on a label. Store-bought iced teas and flavored drinks are notorious for sneaking in citric acid as a preservative or flavor enhancer, so making your own is genuinely the easiest way around that. The combination of lemon and orange gives it a layered, complex tang that feels sophisticated without any extra effort. Poured over ice with a sprig of mint and a citrus slice, it looks stunning and tastes even better than it looks.
About FigFig 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
- 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.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!