Emulsifier Free Lemon-Basil Mint Green Tea
This herbal iced tea is bright, cooling, 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. Every single ingredient here is exactly what it says it is, which makes this a genuinely stress-free pour for anyone navigating additives and emulsifiers hiding in bottled or powdered drink mixes. Steeping the tea at 175°F rather than a rolling boil is a small but important step — it keeps the green tea smooth and golden instead of astringent, letting the herbs shine. Once strained and chilled, it's the kind of drink you'll want to keep in the fridge all week. Serve it over ice with a few lemon slices and it looks as good as it tastes.
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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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