Prepare your taste buds for a delightful blend of flavors with this Green Tea Strawberry Lemonade Recipe!
Here is a vibrant drink that combines the soothing notes of green tea with the bright, zesty punch of fresh lemon and the sweet juiciness of ripe strawberries. It’s a refreshing twist that brings together the best of summer in every glass.
So get set to elevate your refreshment game with this invigorating and delicious creation!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Simple and Quick to Make: With minimal ingredients and steps, you can whip up this refreshing beverage in no time, perfect for busy days.
- Hydrating and Healthy: This recipe is a great way to stay hydrated while enjoying the benefits of green tea and vitamin C from the lemon juice.
- Immune Support: The vitamin C from the lemon juice helps boost your immune system, making this drink both tasty and beneficial for your health.
- Versatile Pairing: Green Tea Strawberry Lemonade pairs well with a variety of dishes, from light salads and grilled chicken to richer desserts, making it a flexible choice for any menu.
- Batch-Friendly: Easy to prepare in large quantities, this drink can be made ahead of time and stored in pitchers, allowing you to focus on entertaining rather than last-minute preparations.
Ingredients
When making Green Tea Strawberry Lemonade, the quality of the ingredients plays an important role in achieving the best flavor.
Start with a good quality green tea, as it forms the base of the drink. Opt for a brand known for its fresh, vibrant tea leaves to ensure that you get the full antioxidant benefits and a smooth, mild flavor. Oversteeping or using lower-quality tea can result in a bitter taste, which can overpower the delicate balance of the lemonade.
The strawberries are equally important. Choose fresh, ripe strawberries that are bright red and fragrant, as these will have the sweetest and most intense flavor. Fresh strawberries not only provide natural sweetness but also contribute to the drink’s vibrant color. If strawberries are out of season, you can use frozen strawberries, but make sure they are thawed and drained of excess water before blending.
Lemon juice is another key component. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is ideal because it offers a bright, tangy flavor that bottled lemon juice often lacks. Fresh lemons also provide a higher level of vitamin C and other nutrients, making your lemonade both flavorful and healthful.
For sweetening, honey is a natural choice that adds a rich, smooth sweetness without overwhelming the other flavors. It dissolves well in warm liquids and complements the fruit and tea. If you prefer, you can substitute honey with other natural sweeteners like agave syrup or maple syrup, depending on your taste preferences and dietary needs.
Ingredients for making 4 servings of Green Tea Strawberry Lemonade:
- 4 cups of water
- 3 green tea bags or 1 tbsp loose leaf green tea
- 1/2 cup fresh (or frozen) strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2-3 lemons)
- 1/4 cup honey or your preferred sweetener (adjust to taste)
- Ice cubes
- Fresh strawberry slices and lemon wedges (optional, for garnish)
How To Make Green Tea Strawberry Lemonade
Instructions for making 4 servings of Green Tea Strawberry Lemonade:
- Brew the Green Tea: Bring 4 cups of water to a simmer. Then remove from heat and add the green tea. Let the tea steep for 5-7 minutes, then remove the tea bags or strain the loose tea and allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Prepare the Strawberry Puree: In a blender, combine the sliced strawberries with 1/4 cup of water. Blend until smooth. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds, leaving you with a smooth strawberry puree.
- Mix the Lemonade: In a large pitcher, combine the cooled green tea, fresh lemon juice, honey, and the strawberry puree. Stir well until the honey is fully dissolved and the mixture is well combined.
- Chill and Serve: Add ice cubes to the pitcher and stir to chill the drink. If desired, garnish with additional strawberry slices and lemon wedges.
- Enjoy: Pour the Green Tea Strawberry Lemonade into glasses over ice and enjoy your refreshing, homemade beverage!
Recommendations & Alternatives
- Sparkling Twist: Replace half of the water with sparkling water or club soda after the tea has cooled for a fizzy, refreshing version of the drink.
- Lavender Infusion: Add a teaspoon of dried culinary lavender to the tea while it steeps for a floral note that enhances the strawberry and lemon flavors, creating a delicate and aromatic twist.
- Matcha Upgrade: Substitute half of the green tea with matcha powder for a more intense green tea flavor and a vibrant green color. Matcha’s earthiness pairs surprisingly well with the fruity lemonade.
- Balsamic Reduction Drizzle: For an adventurous gourmet touch, drizzle a small amount of balsamic reduction into each glass before serving. The sweet and tangy balsamic pairs intriguingly with the strawberry and lemon, adding depth and complexity to the drink.
Green Tea Strawberry Lemonade
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 3 green tea bags or 1 tbsp loose leaf green tea
- 1/2 cup fresh (or frozen) strawberries hulled and sliced
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice about 2-3 lemons
- 1/4 cup honey adjust to taste
- Ice cubes
- Fresh strawberry slices and lemon wedges optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Brew the Green Tea: Steep the green tea in hot water for 5-7 minutes. Then remove the tea bags or strain the loose tea and allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Prepare the Strawberry Puree: In a blender, combine the sliced strawberries with 1/4 cup of water. Blend until smooth. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds, leaving you with a smooth strawberry puree.
- Mix the Lemonade: In a large pitcher, combine the cooled green tea, fresh lemon juice, honey, and the strawberry puree. Stir well until the honey is fully dissolved and the mixture is well combined.
- Chill, Serve & Enjoy: Add ice cubes to the pitcher and stir to chill the drink. If desired, serve in glasses garnished with additional strawberry slices and lemon wedges. Enjoy!