Shellfish Free Green Tea Citrus Lemonade
This refreshing drink is the kind of thing you want to make on a warm afternoon when you need something bright, cooling, and a little more interesting than plain lemonade. Brewed green tea forms the base, giving the whole drink a delicate, slightly grassy depth that pairs beautifully with the tartness of fresh lemon and a hint of sweet orange. Maple syrup does the sweetening here, blending seamlessly into the hot tea so every sip is smooth and balanced — no grainy sugar at the bottom of the glass. The technique of steeping the tea bags without squeezing them is a small but smart move that keeps the flavor clean and mellow rather than bitter. Everything in this recipe is naturally free from any ocean-derived ingredients, so there's zero need to scan labels or worry about unexpected additives sneaking in. It comes together in stages — brew, chill, juice, combine — making it an easy project that feels a little more intentional than cracking open a can. Serve it over ice with a sprig of mint and a lemon wheel, and it looks like something you'd pay too much for at a café.
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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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