On hot days, nothing hits the spot quite like iced tea. So today we’re bringing you an easy, refreshing iced tea recipe to quench your thirst all summer long! Featuring jasmine green tea, fresh ginger, lemon, and a touch of maple syrup, it’s subtly sweet, a little spicy, and gently energizing.
Enjoy it as an afternoon pick-me-up or make a larger batch for picnics or BBQs. Just 4 ingredients and 15 minutes required. Let‘s make tea!
About Jasmine Green Tea
Jasmine green tea is tea that’s been scented with blossoms from the (incredibly fragrant) jasmine plant. This plant was introduced to China from India and began being used in green tea around the 5th century. In southern China, jasmine tea is served to welcome guests, and the scent of jasmine is thought to be from the heavens.
To infuse the scent of jasmine into green tea, tea leaves and freshly picked jasmine flowers are either placed in alternating layers or blended together. It then takes at least 4 hours for the tea to absorb the floral fragrance — and sometimes the process is repeated up to 6 or 7 times. Luckily, there’s no need to do this process yourself, as you can easily find jasmine green tea at most grocery stores.
How to Make Lemon Ginger Jasmine Iced Tea
When you’re ready to make a batch of this refreshing iced tea, grab a couple jasmine green tea bags and place them in a jar. Then grate a lemon to add bright, aromatic lemon zest.
Next, instead of pouring hot water over the tea bags, we make fresh ginger tea by boiling fresh ginger in water. Then pour that over the tea and lemon zest for a subtly spicy addition with anti-inflammatory benefits.
Let it brew for a few minutes, then add the final ingredients: a touch of maple syrup for subtle sweetness plus lemon juice for brightness.
Lastly, pour it over ice and enjoy all the bright, zesty, and floral magic that comes with each sip.
We hope you LOVE this iced tea! It’s:
Bright
Floral
Energizing
Subtly spicy
A little sweet and tart
& SO refreshing!
It’s lightly caffeinated from the green tea, making it a perfect afternoon pick-me-up. Or, make a larger batch to share at picnics or BBQs for those wanting a non-alcoholic, healthier option.
More Refreshing Beverages
- Minty Iced Matcha Latte
- 4-Ingredient Citrus & Melon Spritzer
- Easy Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
- 5-Ingredient Hibiscus Margaritas
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Lemon Ginger Jasmine Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 3 Tbsp chopped fresh ginger (peeling optional // a 3-inch piece yields ~3 Tbsp)
- 2 tea bags jasmine green tea (or sub 1 Tbsp loose leaf // we like Numi Organic)
- 1-2 tsp lemon zest (1 lemon yields ~2 tsp zest)
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Add the water and chopped ginger to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, cover, reduce heat to medium, and allow to boil for 7-12 minutes (7 minutes for a more mild ginger flavor or 12 minutes for a stronger brew — keeping in mind the flavor will continue to develop off the heat).
- While your ginger tea brews, place the jasmine tea bags in a large glass jar or heat-proof pitcher (that can hold at least 3 cups) along with the lemon zest.
- When your ginger tea is done brewing, pour it over the jasmine tea and lemon zest. Steep for 2-3 minutes, then remove the tea bags.
- Add the maple syrup and lemon juice and stir to incorporate. Enjoy immediately strained and poured over ice (it can also be enjoyed warm). Keeps refrigerated for 3 days, or would be delicious frozen as a popsicle!
Video
Notes
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
prashanthi atluri says
Does this recipe include a video?
Yes, it is available here.
Kelli says
Hello.
Would this work w/Matcha powdered green tea? If so, would 1 TB still be substituted for every 2 tea bags?
Thanks.
Hi Kelli, we think the flavor of matcha might be overpowering in this one. If you want to try it, we’d suggest using less (maybe 3/4-1 tsp). Be sure to use a bamboo whisk to mix the matcha in a little hot water so that it doesn’t create clumps.
Melissa M. says
This is a staple in our house. It is flavorful and incredibly easy. Thank you for sharing it!!
Aw, we’re so glad to hear it, Melissa! Thank you for sharing! xo
Nicole says
This is nice and refreshing, but I found the lemon and ginger overpowered the jasmine green tea, which I can’t taste at all. I do like strong tea though, so maybe it’s just me. If I were to make this again I’d try 3 or even 4 tea bags instead of 2.
Hi Nicole, so glad you enjoyed it overall, more tea bags will definitely up the green tea flavor!
SNL says
I agree 3 tea bags is necessary – 2 tea bags and 2 minutes steep (as stated on the box) made wishy washy/”dishwasher” flavour tea. I have also tried this recipe with 1 black tea bag (Aldi English breakfast) and that also made a great iced tea/”hot toddy” depending on Britain’s temperate weather.
Thanks for sharing, SNL!
Hillary says
I’ve made this twice already. Second time I used chamomile because I ran out of jasmine tea. Both were delicious and refreshing!! Thank you. 🌈
Aw, yay! Chamomile sounds lovely! Thank you for sharing, Hillary! xo
Jacquelyn says
I just made this and can’t wait to try it. After the ginger has boiled and I add it to the tea bags/lemon zest, when the tea is finished steeping do I also remove the ginger pieces (along with tea bags) or leave them in?
Hi Jacquelyn, remove them and strain. Hope you love it!
Emma says
This is exactly what I am craving right now! Can’t wait to make it
Yay! Let us know how you like it, Emma! xo
Jessi Bustamante says
This sounds amazing! Any tips for scaling to a large batch?
Hi Jessi, we’d recommend adjusting the number of servings and the ingredients will automatically change proportions. Serving in a pitcher would be pretty! Only other change would be possibly a little less ginger with a larger batch? Hope that helps!
Meena says
Love the tea!!! I didn’t have jasmine green tea tea bags so instead I used Harney and Sons Hot cinnamon spice tea bags. And it was so delicious!!! The cinnamon added another level of flavor to it.
That sounds lovely! Thank you for sharing, Meena! xo