Citrus Free Green Tea with Lemon Balm and Ginger
This soothing brew layers the grassy brightness of green tea with the warming bite of fresh ginger and the soft, herbal fragrance of lemon balm — a combination that feels both calming and quietly invigorating. The real star here is the lemon balm, which brings a gentle citrus-like aroma without relying on any actual citrus fruit, making it a genuinely satisfying option when you need to avoid oranges, lemons, limes, and their relatives. The optional squeeze of lemon juice is easy to leave out entirely, and the drink still delivers plenty of complexity and depth from the ginger and honey alone. Steeping the green tea at the right temperature — letting the ginger-infused water cool just slightly before adding the leaves — is the small but important step that keeps everything smooth and never bitter. Raw honey rounds it all out with a floral sweetness that ties the flavors together beautifully. It comes together in under fifteen minutes and feels like something you'd pay good money for at a specialty tea shop.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
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)
Can be omittedlemon juice
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.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!