Nitrate & Nitrite Free Iced Green Tea with Lemon
Crisp, citrusy, and genuinely refreshing, this iced green tea is the kind of drink that makes you wonder why you ever bought the bottled stuff. Every ingredient here is exactly what it looks like — water, tea, lemon, and a touch of honey or sugar — so there's no guesswork about hidden additives or preservatives lurking in the mix. Steeping the tea at 175°F rather than a rolling boil is a small but important step that keeps the flavor smooth and mellow instead of bitter. Fresh lemon juice brightens the whole thing up, and a little sweetener ties it all together without overpowering the delicate grassy notes of the green tea. It's the kind of recipe that comes together with pantry staples and a pitcher, yet tastes like something you'd order at a nice café. Garnish with mint and lemon slices if you want to make it feel a little fancy, or just pour it straight over ice and enjoy it exactly as it is.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 cups water
- 4 green tea bags
- 2 tbsp honey sugar or granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1–2 lemons)
- 2 cups ice cubes
For serving
- lemon slices, for serving (optional)
- fresh mint sprigs, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Bring 4 cups of water to 175°F (80°C) in a medium saucepan — just below a simmer, with small bubbles beginning to form at the bottom. Remove from heat.
- 2
Add the tea bags and steep for 2–3 minutes, until the tea is a pale golden-green. Remove and discard the bags without squeezing them.
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