Iced Lemon Mint Green Tea is the ultimate summer thirst-quencher—bright, refreshing, and totally irresistible. Sweetened with a vibrant homemade honey, lemon, and mint syrup, this cold brew fuses delicate green tea with zesty citrus and garden-fresh herbs. If you crave a glass of sunshine that manages to be both relaxing and energizing, you’ve absolutely got to give this a try!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Absolutely Refreshing: Each icy sip bursts with zesty lemon, aromatic mint, and gentle green tea tannins—the ideal way to chill out on a sunny day.
- Naturally Sweetened: Pure honey blends seamlessly with citrus and mint, creating a balanced, clean sweetness (no refined sugar needed!)
- Simple and Customizable: The recipe comes together quickly and easily lets you adjust flavor and sweetness to your own taste.
- Good-for-You Ingredients: Green tea, honey, and fresh herbs combine for a beverage that tastes as vibrant as it looks (and gives you a gentle energy lift, too).
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Iced Lemon Mint Green Tea recipe is all about simple, wholesome staples that truly shine together. Each ingredient pulls its weight—lending vibrancy, aroma, or a sweet twist to every glass you pour.
- Green Tea Bags (4): Choose a quality green tea for delicate flavor; avoid strong matcha or smoky blends so the herbal and citrus notes shine.
- Fresh Mint (2 sprigs for tea, plus 1/2 cup leaves for syrup): The more mint, the better! Use plenty for a cooling, fragrant depth.
- Honey (1/2 cup): Natural honey gives a gentle sweetness and floral undertone you won’t get from plain sugar.
- Lemon Juice (1/2 cup): Use freshly squeezed for serious zing—bottled lemon just doesn’t compare.
- Water (6 cups for tea, 1 cup for syrup): Cold, filtered water makes all the difference for clean flavor and a crystal-clear look.
Variations
One of the joys of Iced Lemon Mint Green Tea is how adaptable it is—swap a few ingredients, adjust the sweetness, or play with the add-ins until it fits your mood (or pantry!) perfectly.
- Make it Vegan: Replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar for a similar smooth sweetness and a completely plant-based twist.
- Citrus Switch-Up: Mix in orange, lime, or grapefruit juice alongside (or in place of) lemon for a new citrus profile.
- Boozy Refreshment: Add a splash of gin, vodka, or limoncello right before serving for a fabulous summer cocktail hour.
- Berry Burst: Muddle fresh berries (like raspberries or blueberries) into the bottom of each glass for extra color and flavor.
How to Make Iced Lemon Mint Green Tea
Step 1: Make the Mint Honey Syrup
Start by infusing your water: add 8 sprigs of fresh mint to 1 cup of water in a saucepan. Bring the mixture just to a boil, then simmer for about 3 minutes—this unlocks an incredible herbal aroma. Remove from heat, let the mint “steep” and cool for around 10 minutes, and then strain out the cooked leaves for a clean, vibrant base.
Step 2: Blend Syrup for Extra Freshness
Pour your cooled mint-infused water into a blender. Add 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves and 1/2 cup honey, then blend just until the mint leaves are finely chopped and the honey is fully combined. Take care not to over-blend—you want a syrup that’s flecked with mint, not a smoothie! This is what really makes the Iced Lemon Mint Green Tea pop.
Step 3: Brew and Cool the Green Tea
In a large saucepan, bring 6 cups of water to a simmer (not a hard boil—you don’t want bitter tea). Remove from heat, drop in the green tea bags and 2 sprigs fresh mint, and allow to steep for 5 minutes. This is your foundation! Once steeped, fish out the bags and mint, and let the tea cool to room temperature—it’s worth the short wait.
Step 4: Combine, Sweeten, and Chill
Transfer your cooled green tea into a large pitcher. Stir in 1/2 cup (or more, to taste) of the lemon mint honey syrup and the fresh lemon juice, mixing until everything is beautifully blended. Pop the pitcher in the fridge for at least 2 hours to chill thoroughly—the colder, the crisper!
Step 5: Serve and Garnish
To serve, fill tall glasses or mason jars with plenty of ice, pour over your glorious Iced Lemon Mint Green Tea, and garnish with extra lemon slices and sprigs of mint. Watch the colors swirl and get ready for some serious sipping joy.
Pro Tips for Making Iced Lemon Mint Green Tea
- Steep, Don’t Boil: Always let your water come just to a simmer for green tea—too hot and it can taste bitter instead of smooth and grassy.
- Minty-Fresh Synergy: For a truly aromatic syrup, use both simmered and fresh mint in your blend—this doubles down on flavor and cooling power.
- Custom Sweetness: Taste as you stir in your honey-mint syrup—everyone’s sweet spot is different, so adjust to suit your crowd.
- Chill Like a Pro: Let your tea get really cold before serving—chilling melds the flavors and keeps ice from watering it down too quickly.
How to Serve Iced Lemon Mint Green Tea
Garnishes
Nobody can resist a glass crowned with cheerful lemon wheels and vibrant sprigs of mint. Add edible flowers for a flowery touch, or try thin cucumber slices for extra spa vibes—they’re simple, stunning, and make each sip feel extra special.
Side Dishes
Iced Lemon Mint Green Tea pairs beautifully with picnic fare and light, fresh meals—think cucumber sandwiches, fruit salads, baked pita chips with tatziki, or even a crisp summer salad. It’s perfect with brunch or alongside a sunny outdoor lunch.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Iced Lemon Mint Green Tea in clear glass pitchers so guests can admire those delicate mint and lemon layers. Freeze edible flowers or mint into your ice cubes for an Instagram-worthy effect, or set up a DIY garnish bar for personalizing each glass.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover tea keeps perfectly in the refrigerator for 2–3 days. Pour it into a tightly sealed jar or pitcher—just keep garnishes separate until serving so everything stays crisp and bright.
Freezing
You can freeze extra lemon mint honey syrup in ice cube trays. When ready to serve, simply plop a cube into a glass for built-in sweetening and extra chill, or even blend cubes right into a slushie for a fun summer treat.
Reheating
For Iced Lemon Mint Green Tea, reheating isn’t really needed—this is one beverage that’s meant to be cold and refreshing. If you like, you can gently warm a serving for a soothing hot lemon-mint tea on a chilly evening, but the magic really shines over ice!
FAQs
-
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?
While you can use bottled juice in a pinch, nothing beats the fresh, vibrant zing of freshly squeezed lemons. The flavor just pops—and since this drink is so simple, those little details make a world of difference!
-
What’s the best way to adjust sweetness?
Always add your honey-mint syrup little by little, tasting as you go to discover your perfect sweetness. You can easily make it lighter or richer depending on your mood (or who’s sipping with you that day).
-
Can I make Iced Lemon Mint Green Tea ahead for a party?
Absolutely! Prepare both the tea and syrup up to a day in advance, and simply combine as guests arrive. Wait to add ice and garnishes until the last minute for the prettiest presentation.
-
Is it possible to use dried mint?
If fresh mint isn’t available, dried mint will do in the infusion stage (use about a third of the amount), but try to find fresh for blending—it brings so much more brightness and a lovely green color.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a new favorite pitcher drink that’s as uplifting as it is easy, Iced Lemon Mint Green Tea is calling your name! It’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to keep on repeat—from impromptu backyard gatherings to solo slow afternoons. Go on, give it a try—cheers to zesty, minty refreshment!
PrintEasy Pickle and Cheddar Grilled Ground Beef Sliders Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending, Steeping
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Refreshing and flavorful, this Iced Lemon Mint Green Tea is the perfect drink to cool off on a hot day. The combination of green tea, fresh mint, and a hint of lemon creates a deliciously unique beverage that will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Ingredients
For the Green Tea:
- 6 cups water
- 4 green tea bags
- 2 sprigs fresh mint
For the Lemon Mint Honey Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 cup honey
Instructions
- To Make Honey Simple Syrup – Heat 1 cup of water in a saucepan. Add 8 sprigs of mint and bring to a boil. Simmer mint leaves for 3 minutes, then remove from heat. Cool for 10 minutes. Remove mint leaves. Pour mint water into a blender with 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves and 1/2 cup honey. Blend until mint leaves are finely chopped. Do not over blend.
- To Make Mint Tea – In a saucepan, bring water to a simmer. Remove from heat. Add tea bags and steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and let tea cool. Pour cooled tea into a pitcher. Stir in 1/2 cup of mint honey syrup. Refrigerate any leftover syrup in an airtight container.
- Serve tea over ice and garnish with lemon slices and mint sprigs.
Notes
- You can strain the mint leaves blended with honey and water for a smoother texture.
- Blending mint leaves with honey and water enhances the minty flavor of the drink.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg