BHA & BHT Free Lemon-Basil Mint Green Tea
Bottled teas and flavored drinks are some of the sneakiest sources of synthetic preservatives, which makes a homemade brew like this one such a satisfying alternative. Every ingredient here is exactly what it sounds like — green tea, fresh herbs, raw honey, and real lemon juice — so you know precisely what's going into your glass. The combination of mint and basil steeped together creates something surprisingly complex, bright and herbal with a subtle sweetness that feels almost spa-like. Keeping the water at 175°F is the key move; it coaxes out the delicate flavor of green tea without any bitterness, letting the fresh herbs really shine. Raw honey dissolves beautifully into the warm liquid and adds a gentle floral note that pairs perfectly with the citrus hit from freshly squeezed lemon. Served over ice with a few lemon slices, it's the kind of drink that looks and tastes like you put in way more effort than you actually did.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 cups water
- 4 green tea bags
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- 3 tbsp raw honey
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1–2 lemons)
For serving
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced (optional)
- ice, for serving
Instructions
- 1
Bring 4 cups of water to 175°F (80°C) in a small saucepan — just below a simmer, with small bubbles beginning to form at the bottom. Remove from heat.
- 2
Add the green tea bags, mint leaves, and basil leaves to the hot water. Steep for 4–5 minutes, until the tea is a clear golden-green and the herbs are fragrant. Do not steep longer, as the tea can turn bitter.
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