Lemon ginger iced green tea is a refreshing twist on a favorite summer drink. An easy lemon ginger simple syrup uses honey to flavor and sweeten multiple batches to your liking.
How’s that for a title? I suppose it makes this iced green tea sound more complicated than it is, which isn’t exactly what we want. This iced tea happens in two parts – first you make a slightly-fancier-than-most simple syrup, and then you brew up some green tea. Combine the two in your preferred ratios and that’s it! Serve over ice. Easier, zhushed up iced tea.
And MAN oh man can I say that anything easier is much appreciated these days. Setting up a house is no joke. All the painting is one thing, but choosing furniture? Impossible. We have a couch picked out (and that’s it), but how in the world are you supposed to pick out a rug? After hours of online shopping, I’ve determined I’m a rug Goldilocks over here, except for the fact that I haven’t yet found the one that’s just right.
Needless to say my brain has been filled to capacity with things like trying to remember to sign up for garbage service and ripping a chair rail off the wall without causing a ton of damage in addition to the usual work/blog/life culprits, so the blog has been a little quiet lately. But that changes now! I can speak from experience when I say that this lemon ginger iced green tea with honey totally hits the spot when you need a little warm weather pick-me-up. To be more specific, it especially hits the spot when it’s 90 degrees F outside and your paint drop cloths are covering the vents so you can’t turn on the A/C. Oooof.
Let’s talk this lemon ginger simple syrup! It’s made with a mix of granulated sugar and honey for sweetness with a little flavor. Once the water/sugar/honey mixture comes to a simmer and the sugar granules have dissolved, you’ll remove it from the heat and add lemon juice, lemon peel, and thin slices of fresh ginger. The flavor will infuse as the mixture cools, and once cooled completely, you can pour it through a strainer and refrigerate.
I used equal parts sugar/honey because with the lemon and ginger being added to the mix, I didn’t want a strong honey flavor competing as well. But feel free to increase the honey ratio to the sugar (or try out using honey entirely) if you’re big into honey flavor in your teas. You can make quite a few pitchers of this iced green tea with one batch of syrup – love doing the work once and enjoying the benefits multiple times! I already have a few other recipe ideas for this syrup percolating so stay tuned…
Lemon Ginger Iced Green Tea with Honey
Ingredients
For the Lemon Ginger Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/3 cup peeled and sliced fresh ginger, approximately (or more)
- 3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 4 lemons)
- Lemon peel from about 2 lemons
For the Iced Green Tea:
- 6 cups water
- 6 green tea bags
Instructions
For the syrup:
- Stir together water, granulated sugar, and honey in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Let it come to a simmer. Once sugar has dissolved completely, remove from heat and add ginger, lemon juice and lemon peel. Stir, and let syrup cool to room temperature. Once cooled, pour syrup through a strainer to remove the ginger/lemon peel and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
For the tea:
- Bring water to a boil and let tea bags steep for five or so minutes (your preference). Refrigerate.
To serve:
- Add your desired amount of lemon ginger syrup to iced green tea. I suggest 1/2 cup of syrup to 6 cups of tea for a flavored and sweet but not too sweet twist. Of course adjust the syrup to your liking!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
Helen says
Is it possible to drink too much of this drink? Should I only drink one a day? You are absolutely right about it being refreshing and delicious!
Alyssa says
So glad you like it, Helen! 🙂 Such a great summer drink.
Danielle says
It sounds like you are both staying busy with the new house! Hopefully things will start to settle down soon for you guys. In the meantime, this looks like such a great way to enjoy some green tea. Love the idea of using a lemon ginger syrup!
Alyssa says
I can’t wait for that day! We’re so excited for the little things we’ve been missing, like having a grill, a fenced in backyard, and more than two rooms! haha Thanks Danielle!
marcie says
You sound so busy, and picking furniture and decorations for the walls is no laughing matter! I still have a few empty spaces on my walls after 14 years because I’m looking for something that’s “just right”. 🙂 This iced tea sounds like the perfect way to cool off — these flavors sound so refreshing!
Alyssa says
I know what you mean – “just right”! I tend to want to do everything right away, so this whole house thing is making me practice my patience (that’s for sure!). Thanks Marcie!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
I wish I had some hot weather to justify making this iced tea right now! lemon, ginger and honey is such a classic flavour combination that i just know this would be delicious Xx
Alyssa says
This past winter here I fell in love with a warm lemon ginger tea, which prompted me to remember to make an iced version once the temperature rose. Such great flavors – hot or cold! Thanks Thalia! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
This sounds lovely! I have been all about everything iced! Iced coffee, iced tea….so needed!
Alyssa says
Once it hit about 90F I switched over to iced coffee/tea for my afternoon caffeine boost. I still need a hot cup of coffee in the morning, but this iced green tea is so welcome later on. 🙂