MSG Free Lemon-Basil Mint Green Tea
This herbal iced tea is the kind of drink that feels like a genuine treat — bright, cooling, and layered with flavor from fresh mint, fresh basil, and a squeeze of real lemon. Every ingredient here is whole and recognizable, which means you can sip without a second thought about hidden additives or flavor enhancers that sneak into so many bottled and powdered drink mixes. The technique matters too: steeping the green tea at 175°F rather than a full boil keeps the flavor clean and mellow, so the herbs can actually shine instead of getting buried under bitterness. Raw honey brings a gentle, floral sweetness that ties everything together far more naturally than processed syrups ever could. Once it's chilled and poured over ice with a few lemon slices floating on top, it looks almost too pretty to drink — almost. It's equally at home at a backyard gathering or as a quiet afternoon ritual, and it comes together with almost no effort at all.
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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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