Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Tea Base
Herbal & Citrus Add-ins
Sweeteners & Optional Flavors
Method
Tea Base
- 1
- 2
Steep tea bags
Remove from heat. Add 8 black tea bags and 4 green tea bags to the hot water. Cover and steep for 4 minutes for a balanced strength (up to 6 minutes for stronger flavor). Avoid over-steeping green tea more than 4–5 minutes to prevent bitterness.
- 3
Strain and cool
Remove tea bags, gently squeezing them against the pot rim to extract liquid (avoid extracting too much tannin). Transfer the steeped tea to a 96-oz (3 quart) pitcher or jug. Allow to cool at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before adding cold ingredients.
Herbal & Citrus Add-ins
- 4
Prepare herbs and aromatics
While the tea cools, lightly bruise 12 fresh mint sprigs by gently twisting or flattening the leaves to release oils. Thinly slice 12 lemon rounds (reserve a few for garnish) and peel and thinly slice fresh ginger to yield approximately 3 tablespoons. Measure 4 tsp chamomile flowers.
- 5
Infuse warm tea
Add the bruised mint, lemon slices, sliced ginger and 4 tsp dried chamomile directly into the warm (not piping hot) tea in the pitcher. Stir gently to combine. Let steep for 15 minutes at warm temperature to allow herbal flavors to meld.
- 6
Strain solids
After 15 minutes, strain out the mint sprigs, ginger slices, lemon rounds and chamomile using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Press lightly on solids to extract flavor, then discard solids.
Sweeteners & Finishing
- 7
Sweeten and brighten
While the tea is still slightly warm, stir in 6 tablespoons honey (or agave) until fully dissolved. Add 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice and 1 teaspoon lemon zest (if using) and stir to combine. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity as desired (add up to 2 more tablespoons honey or 1–2 tbsp lemon juice).
- 8
Chill
Refrigerate the jug for at least 1 hour to chill thoroughly. If you need it immediately, add about 6 cups of ice to the pitcher to cool quickly (note: melting ice will dilute the tea; add extra concentrate or reduce ice if preferred).
- 9
- 10
Storage
Keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Stir gently before serving; add fresh ice as needed.