Citric Acid Free Turmeric Green Iced Tea with Lemon
This golden, spiced iced tea is the kind of drink that looks like it came from a fancy wellness café but comes together entirely in your own kitchen. Warm turmeric, fresh ginger, cinnamon, and a crack of black pepper steep together before the green tea bags go in, building a deep, layered flavor that's earthy, bright, and just a little bit spicy. A spoonful of honey rounds everything out, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice — not a bottled concentrate or citric acid additive — gives it that clean, tart lift without any hidden preservatives or manufactured acids. That distinction matters more than it might seem, since so many store-bought teas and flavored drinks sneak in citric acid as a preservative or flavor enhancer, making it genuinely hard to find a refreshing option that's free of it. Here, you control every single ingredient from the spice rack to the strainer. The tea chills down beautifully in the fridge and pours over ice into something that looks almost too pretty to drink — almost. It's a genuinely satisfying, feel-good sip that earns a permanent spot in your warm-weather rotation.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 cups water
- 4 green tea bags
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1–2 lemons)
For serving
- ice, for serving
- lemon slices, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the water, turmeric, ginger slices, cinnamon, and black pepper in a medium saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then remove from the heat.
- 2
Add the green tea bags to the hot spiced water and steep for 3–4 minutes, until the tea is a deep golden-green. Remove and discard the tea bags — do not squeeze them, as this can make the tea bitter.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!