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fresh citrus green iced tea served over ice with lemon and orange slices

Fresh Citrus Green Iced Tea

Clean, refreshing iced green tea infused with fresh citrus — bright lemon and sweet orange balanced with gentle honey sweetness. Light, aromatic, and perfectly structured for hot days.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Drinks
Calories: 35

Ingredients
  

GREEN TEA BASE
  • 1.65 L water
  • 6–7 item green tea bags Sencha or China Green
CITRUS INFUSION
  • 1 item medium lemon very thinly sliced; peel on; seeds removed
  • 1 item medium orange very thinly sliced; peel on; seeds removed
  • 2-3 tbsp mild honey to taste
TO SERVE
  • item ice
  • item citrus slices

Method
 

  1. Heat the water to 75–80°C (167–176°F) — do not boil. Add the green tea bags and steep for 2–3 minutes maximum. Remove the tea bags without squeezing and let the tea cool to lukewarm.
  2. While the tea is still warm, stir in 2 Tbsp honey until fully dissolved. Taste and add up to 1 additional tablespoon only if needed. Let the tea cool to room temperature.
  3. Wash the lemon and orange thoroughly. Slice both very thinly, keeping the peel on but removing any visible seeds. Avoid thick slices — citrus should perfume the tea, not dominate it.
  4.  Add the citrus slices to the cooled tea. Refrigerate and let infuse for 15–20 minutes only, until a fresh citrus aroma develops. Remove the citrus promptly to prevent bitterness from the peel.
  5. Continue chilling the tea for 1–2 hours until fully cold and balanced.
  6.  Fill glasses with ice. Pour over the chilled citrus green iced tea and garnish with a fresh citrus slice if desired.

Notes

  • Use light green tea — oversteeped or low-quality tea turns bitter fast.
  • Citrus peel releases aroma quickly; longer infusions extract bitterness.
  • Honey should support, not sweeten aggressively — this is tea, not lemonade.
  • Best enjoyed within 24 hours for clean citrus flavor.