Jul 14 2026

Beverages Recipe

Time45m
Serves6

Make Beverages Recipe in just 45m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Iced Citrus Green Tea

Simple Ginger Honey Lemon (optional hot or cold)

Method

Iced Citrus Green Tea

  1. 1

    Brew the tea

    Bring 4 cups of water to just under a boil (about 175–185°F / 80–85°C). Remove from heat and add 3 green tea bags. Steep for 2–3 minutes for a bright, non-bitter flavor. Do not over-steep.

  2. 2

    Sweeten while warm

    Remove the tea bags, gently pressing them against the side of the pot to extract flavor, then discard. Stir in 3 tablespoons granulated sugar while the tea is still warm until fully dissolved.

  3. 3

    Add citrus

    Stir in 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice and 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice into the warm sweetened tea. Taste and adjust acidity: add more lemon or orange in 1/2-tablespoon increments if desired.

  4. 4

    Cool and dilute

    Transfer the brewed citrus tea to a heatproof pitcher. Add 2 cups cold water to dilute and cool the tea to a palatable strength and temperature.

  5. 5

    Chill

    Place the pitcher in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to chill, or for quicker service, add ice cubes directly when serving (see next step).

  6. 6

    Serve

    Fill glasses with ice (about 1/2 to 1 cup per glass). Pour the chilled tea over ice. Garnish each glass with a lemon slice and a mint sprig if using. Stir gently and serve immediately.

Simple Ginger Honey Lemon (optional hot or cold)

  1. 7

    Make ginger infusion

    In a small saucepan bring 2 cups water to a simmer. Add 2 tablespoons peeled, thinly sliced fresh ginger and an optional cinnamon stick. Simmer gently for 8–10 minutes to extract flavor.

  2. 8

    Sweeten and finish

    Remove from heat and strain the ginger (and cinnamon) into a heatproof container. Stir in 2 tablespoons honey until dissolved, then add 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Taste and adjust honey or lemon as needed.

  3. 9

    Serve hot or cold

    For hot: serve immediately in warmed cups. For cold: cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled and serve over ice (use about 1/2 cup ginger-honey concentrate per glass, top with cold water or add to iced green tea for a ginger-honey twist).

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