Beef Free Green Tea Citrus Lemonade

Total time45 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time5 min

4.6

(20)

This refreshing drink is the kind of thing you'll want to make on repeat all summer long — bright, citrusy, and just a little earthy from the green tea base. Fresh lemon and orange juice give it a bold, layered tang that store-bought lemonade simply can't match, while maple syrup adds a gentle, rounded sweetness without any refined sugar. The trick to keeping the tea clean and smooth is pulling those bags out without squeezing — a small step that makes a big difference in the final flavor. Everything comes together in one pitcher, making it an effortless crowd-pleaser for backyard gatherings or a quiet afternoon at home. It's naturally free of any animal products, so it fits a wide range of tables without any substitutions or workarounds needed. Serve it over ice with a sprig of mint and a lemon slice, and it looks as good as it tastes.

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Ingredients

4 servings

For the green tea base

3 cups water
3 green tea bags
¼ cup maple syrup

For the citrus blend

½ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 4 lemons)
¼ cup fresh orange juice (from about 1 large orange)
1 cup cold water

For serving

2 cups ice cubes
4 lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
4 fresh mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1
Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a small 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 tea 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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