Artificial Food Coloring Free Lemon Ginger Iced Tea
Bright, zingy, and refreshingly homemade, this iced tea is the kind of drink that makes you wonder why you ever reached for a bottle off the shelf. Store-bought teas and lemonade blends are notorious for sneaking in synthetic dyes — that artificial amber or neon yellow glow isn't always natural — so making your own is a genuinely smart move. Here, the gorgeous golden color comes entirely from simmered fresh ginger and steeped black tea, no shortcuts needed. Fresh lemon juice adds a clean tartness, while maple syrup brings a gentle, rounded sweetness that feels a little more interesting than plain sugar. The ginger is simmered first to coax out its warmth and spice before the tea bags even hit the water, which gives the whole pitcher a layered depth you just can't get from a powder or concentrate. Serve it over ice with a few lemon slices and a sprig of mint for a glass that looks as good as it tastes.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the tea
- 6 cup water
- 4 black tea bags
- 1 oz fresh ginger (about a 2-inch piece), peeled and thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
- 3 tbsp maple syrup, plus more to taste
For serving
- ice cubes, for serving
- lemon slices, for serving (optional)
- fresh mint sprigs, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine 4 cups water and the sliced ginger in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, until the water is fragrant and lightly golden.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the tea bags and steep for 4 minutes, then remove and discard the tea bags. Do not squeeze the bags.
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