Chicken Free Green Tea with Lemon Balm and Ginger
This soothing herbal brew is the kind of drink that makes you slow down and actually enjoy a quiet moment. Fresh lemon balm brings a gentle citrusy brightness that pairs beautifully with the warmth of sliced ginger, while the green tea ties everything together with a clean, grassy depth. The technique here matters — pulling the water off the boil before steeping protects the tea from turning bitter, so you end up with a clear, pale gold cup that tastes as delicate as it looks. A drizzle of raw honey rounds out the flavors without overpowering them, and a squeeze of lemon juice at the end adds just enough lift if you want it. It's a naturally plant-based, wholesome recipe with zero animal-derived ingredients to navigate, so there's nothing to swap or second-guess. Whether you're winding down in the evening or looking for a gentler alternative to coffee in the morning, this is the kind of simple, intentional recipe worth keeping on repeat.
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Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
- 2 cups filtered water
- 2 tsp loose-leaf green tea (or 2 green tea bags)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon balm leaves, lightly packed
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1–2 tsp raw honey, to taste
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the filtered water and sliced ginger in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer, about 3–4 minutes. Remove from heat and let the temperature drop for 1–2 minutes until it is no longer at a rolling boil — green tea steeps best around 170–180°F (77–82°C) to avoid bitterness.
- 2
Add the green tea and fresh lemon balm leaves to the hot ginger water. Steep for 3–5 minutes, until the tea is a clear pale gold and the lemon balm aroma is noticeable. Do not steep longer than 5 minutes, as the green tea will turn bitter.
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