High Fructose Corn Syrup Free Green Tea with Lemon Balm and Ginger
This soothing herbal tea is the kind of drink that makes you slow down and actually enjoy the moment. Lemon balm brings a gentle citrusy calm, fresh ginger adds a subtle warmth, and quality loose-leaf green tea ties it all together into something that feels genuinely restorative. Sweetened drinks are one of the trickiest categories to navigate when you're avoiding high fructose corn syrup, since it hides in bottled teas, flavored drinks, and even some honey blends at the grocery store. Here, raw honey is the only sweetener, and you control exactly how much goes in — no label-reading required. The technique matters too: steeping the green tea at a lower temperature keeps it smooth and clear rather than bitter, so every sip is clean and balanced. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end is optional but brightens the whole cup beautifully. It's a simple, wholesome ritual you can pull together any time you want something warm and real.
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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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