Coconut Free Green Tea with Lemon Balm and Ginger
This soothing brew layers the grassy brightness of green tea with the citrusy, herbal lift of fresh lemon balm and the gentle warmth of ginger — a combination that feels both calming and quietly invigorating. The technique here matters: ginger is simmered first to coax out its flavor, then the water is allowed to cool slightly before the tea is added, which keeps the green tea from turning bitter and astringent. Fresh lemon balm leaves release their delicate oils when pressed through the strainer, giving the finished cup a fragrance that dried herbs simply can't replicate. A touch of raw honey rounds everything out, and a small squeeze of lemon juice can brighten the whole thing if you're in the mood. Many packaged teas and flavored blends sneak in unexpected additives, so brewing from whole, recognizable ingredients like these gives you complete control over what's in your cup. It's a genuinely elegant drink that comes together with almost no effort and tastes like something you'd order at a very good café.
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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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