Elevate your iced tea game with this incredibly light and revitalizing blend. Our Cucumber Mint Green Iced Tea is a quick, healthy, and flavorful twist on the classic, combining the earthy notes of green tea with the cool, crisp freshness of cucumber and mint for the most hydrating summer beverage imaginable.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
I created this recipe during a particularly sweltering summer, seeking a drink that was more sophisticated and hydrating than plain water. The combination of garden-fresh cucumber and mint from my window box with the subtle complexity of green tea resulted in a drink that instantly became a staple on my patio, evoking a sense of spa-like luxury with every sip.
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 4 green tea bags
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
- 3 tablespoons honey, or to taste
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1 medium English cucumber, thinly sliced
- Fresh mint, cucumber slices, and lemon slices for garnish (optional)
- Ice cubes, as needed
Step-by-step instructions for making the recipe
- Bring the 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately add the green tea bags and the 1/2 cup of chopped fresh mint leaves. Allow the mixture to steep for 5 minutes.
- Strain the brewed tea into a large pitcher, discarding the tea bags and mint leaves.
- While the tea is still warm, stir in the honey and fresh lemon juice until the honey is fully dissolved.
- Allow the tea to cool to room temperature.
- Once cooled, add the thinly sliced English cucumber to the pitcher.
- Let the tea infuse with the cucumber for at least 10 minutes, or for a stronger flavor, refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- To serve, fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the chilled cucumber mint tea over the top.
- Garnish each glass with additional fresh mint sprigs, cucumber slices, and a slice of lemon.
Cucumber Mint Green Iced Tea
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring the 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan.4 cups water
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately add the green tea bags and the 1/2 cup of chopped fresh mint leaves. Allow the mixture to steep for 5 minutes.4 green tea bags, 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
- Strain the brewed tea into a large pitcher, discarding the tea bags and mint leaves.
- While the tea is still warm, stir in the honey and fresh lemon juice until the honey is fully dissolved.3 tablespoons honey, 1/2 lemon, juiced
- Allow the tea to cool to room temperature.
- Once cooled, add the thinly sliced English cucumber to the pitcher.1 medium English cucumber, thinly sliced
- Let the tea infuse with the cucumber for at least 10 minutes, or for a stronger flavor, refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- To serve, fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the chilled cucumber mint tea over the top.as needed ice cubes
- Garnish each glass with additional fresh mint sprigs, cucumber slices, and a slice of lemon.fresh mint, cucumber slices, and lemon slices
Notes
FAQ
Can I use a different type of tea?
Yes, while green tea is recommended for its light, earthy flavor, you can use white tea for an even more delicate taste or black tea for a stronger base. The steeping time may need to be adjusted for black tea to prevent bitterness.
How long will this tea last in the refrigerator?
It’s best enjoyed within 2-3 days. For the freshest taste, add the cucumber slices just before serving or within a few hours, as they can become soggy if left in the tea for too long.
What can I use instead of honey?
You can easily substitute the honey with an equal amount of agave syrup, simple syrup, or maple syrup. For a sugar-free version, use your preferred liquid sugar substitute.
My tea turned out bitter. What happened?
Green tea can become bitter if steeped in water that is too hot or for too long. Ensure you remove the water from the heat before adding the tea bags, and stick to the 5-minute steeping time.