Vegetarian Green Tea Citrus Lemonade
This drink is the kind of thing you make once and immediately want to keep in your fridge all week. Brewed green tea forms a delicate, pale gold-green base that brings a gentle earthiness to balance the bright punch of fresh lemon and orange juice. Maple syrup does the sweetening here, dissolving smoothly into the hot tea and adding just a whisper of warmth that plain sugar simply can't match. The trick of not squeezing the tea bags is a small but brilliant detail — it keeps the flavor clean and mellow rather than bitter. Everything comes together in a big pitcher, poured over ice and finished with a sprig of mint and a lemon slice if you're feeling fancy. It's refreshing, naturally plant-based from top to bottom, and made entirely from whole, recognizable ingredients with no hidden additives to second-guess. Whether you're hosting a summer gathering or just treating yourself on a slow afternoon, this is the kind of homemade drink that makes store-bought lemonade feel like a serious downgrade.
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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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