Sesame Free Green Tea with Lemon Balm and Ginger
This soothing brew is the kind of thing you'll want to make on slow mornings or whenever you need a gentle reset. Fresh lemon balm brings a bright, herbal lift that pairs beautifully with the warmth of sliced ginger, while the green tea ties it all together with a clean, delicate base. The trick to keeping it smooth and never bitter is pulling the water off the heat before steeping — a small step that makes a real difference in the final cup. Raw honey rounds everything out with just enough sweetness, and a squeeze of lemon juice at the end adds a little brightness if you're in the mood for it. Packaged teas and flavored blends can hide all kinds of unexpected additives, so making this from scratch with whole, simple ingredients gives you full control over exactly what's in your mug. It's an effortless recipe that feels genuinely restorative, whether you're sipping it solo or sharing it with someone who could use a calm moment too.
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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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