Cinnamon Free Lemon-Basil Mint Green Tea
This herbal iced tea is bright, refreshing, and layered with flavor — fresh mint and basil steep alongside green tea to create something that tastes far more complex than the short ingredient list suggests. The lemon juice adds a clean tartness while raw honey brings just enough sweetness to round everything out without tipping into sugary territory. For anyone navigating a sensitivity to cinnamon, finding a flavored tea or bottled drink that's truly free of it can be surprisingly tricky — spice blends and "natural flavors" have a way of sneaking in. This recipe keeps things beautifully transparent: every ingredient is right there in front of you, and none of them come with any hidden spice surprises. The technique matters here too — steeping at 175°F rather than a rolling boil keeps the green tea smooth and golden instead of bitter, letting the herbs really shine. Serve it over ice with a few lemon slices and it looks as good as it tastes, whether you're sipping solo or setting it out for guests.
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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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