Nitrate & Nitrite Free Green Tea with Lemon Balm and Ginger
This soothing brew layers three genuinely calming flavors — grassy green tea, herbal lemon balm, and a gentle warmth from fresh ginger — into something that feels like a proper ritual rather than just a hot drink. Packaged teas and flavored blends can be surprisingly tricky territory, since added preservatives and flavor enhancers sometimes sneak in where you least expect them. Here, every ingredient is whole and recognizable: loose-leaf or bagged green tea, fresh lemon balm leaves, sliced ginger root, raw honey, and a squeeze of lemon if you like a little brightness. The technique matters too — bringing the ginger to a gentle simmer first coaxes out its warmth, then letting the water cool slightly before steeping protects the green tea from turning bitter. Pressing the lemon balm leaves through the strainer releases their fragrant oils and gives the final cup a floral, citrusy lift that's genuinely lovely. A drizzle of raw honey rounds everything out without introducing anything processed or unnecessary. It's the kind of drink you'll want to make on a slow morning or whenever you need a calm, clean reset.
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)
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!