Nitrate & Nitrite Free Green Tea Citrus Spritz
Bright, refreshing, and built entirely from real whole ingredients, this sparkling drink is the kind of thing you'll want to make on repeat all summer long. Steeped green tea forms a gorgeous golden-green base that pairs beautifully with freshly squeezed orange and lime juice, while maple syrup adds just enough natural sweetness to tie it all together. For anyone navigating processed beverages and their often-murky additive lists, this one is a breath of fresh air — every single ingredient is exactly what it says it is, nothing hidden, nothing cured or preserved. The technique is simple but thoughtful: steeping the tea without squeezing the bags keeps bitterness at bay, and chilling the base before mixing means the sparkling water stays lively and effervescent right up until the first sip. A handful of ice, a splash of chilled sparkling water, and an optional sprig of mint turn it into something that looks genuinely impressive in a glass. It's the kind of drink that feels fancy enough for a dinner party but easy enough to throw together on a Tuesday afternoon.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the green tea base
- 2 cups water
- 3 green tea bags
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- ½ cup fresh orange juice (from about 2 medium oranges)
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
To finish
- 2 cups sparkling water, chilled
- 1 cup ice cubes
For serving
- 4 thin orange or lime slices, for garnish (optional)
- 4 fresh mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Bring 2 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 deep golden-green. Remove and discard the 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 15 minutes, then refrigerate until cold, at least 15 minutes more.
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