Aug 31 2026
RestaurantsKeys CafeFlavored Tea Or Lemonade Recipe

Flavored Tea Or Lemonade Recipe

Inspired by Keys Cafe
Time1h
Serves6

Make Flavored Tea Or Lemonade Recipe in just 1h . Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Tea Base

Lemonade Base (for lemonade option)

Garnish (optional)

Method

Tea Base

  1. 1

    Boil water

    Bring 6 cups of water to a rolling boil in a kettle or saucepan.

  2. 2

    Steep tea

    Remove from heat. Add 4 black tea bags to the hot water, cover, and steep for 4–5 minutes for medium strength (steep 3 minutes for lighter, 6 minutes for stronger).

  3. 3

    Sweeten

    Remove tea bags, gently pressing them against the side with a spoon to extract flavor. While tea is still warm, stir in 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (or adjust to taste) until dissolved. If using honey instead of sugar, add 1 tablespoon honey and stir until incorporated.

  4. 4

    Cool

    Let the sweetened tea cool to room temperature (~20–30 minutes), then transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes if serving cold. Alternatively serve over ice immediately if preferred.

Lemonade Base (if making lemonade)

  1. 5

    Make simple syrup

    Combine 3 tablespoons granulated sugar with 3 tablespoons water in a small saucepan and heat gently, stirring until the sugar dissolves to create a quick simple syrup. Cool slightly.

  2. 6

    Mix lemonade

    In a pitcher, combine 1 cup fresh lemon juice, the cooled simple syrup, and 4 cups cold water. Stir well and taste; add more water or sweetener to reach desired balance.

  3. 7

    Chill

    Refrigerate the lemonade until cold or serve immediately over ice.

Flavor Add-ins & Assembly

  1. 8

    Prepare add-ins

    Lightly crush the 10 fresh mint leaves between your palms to release oils. Slice ginger thinly if not already sliced. Prepare 6 thin lemon slices for infusion.

  2. 9

    Infuse tea or lemonade

    For flavored tea: add crushed mint leaves, 1 tablespoon sliced ginger, and 3 lemon slices to the chilled or warm sweetened tea. Let steep in the refrigerator for 15–30 minutes to develop flavor, then remove large solids before serving. For flavored lemonade: add crushed mint leaves, 1 tablespoon sliced ginger, and 3 lemon slices to the pitcher and steep 10–15 minutes in the fridge, then remove solids if desired.

  3. 10

    Serve

    Fill glasses with about 1/2 cup ice (adjust as needed). Pour the flavored tea or lemonade over ice. Garnish each glass with a lemon wheel and a mint sprig. Taste and add extra honey or simple syrup to individual glasses if more sweetness is desired.

  4. 11

    Storage

    Store remaining beverage in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Remove fresh ginger and mint if leaving long-term to avoid bitterness. Stir before serving.

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