Ginger Free Green Tea Citrus Lemonade
Bright, refreshing, and layered with flavor, this citrus lemonade gets an unexpected depth from a base of steeped green tea and maple syrup. The combination of fresh lemon and orange juice gives it a rounded tartness that plain lemonade just can't match, while the tea adds a subtle, earthy undertone that makes every sip feel a little more interesting. Many store-bought lemonades and flavored drinks sneak in ginger as a "zing" ingredient, so making your own from scratch is the cleanest way to enjoy something this vibrant without second-guessing the label. The maple syrup dissolves beautifully into the hot tea and brings a gentle, caramel-like sweetness that feels more complex than plain sugar. A quick tip from the recipe: don't squeeze the tea bags when you pull them out — that small step keeps the whole drink smooth and mellow rather than bitter. Served over ice with a lemon slice and a sprig of fresh mint, it looks like something from a café menu but comes together with almost no effort at all. This is the kind of drink you'll want to keep in the fridge all week.
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Learn more →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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