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Copycat Panera Iced Green Tea: Refreshing Recipe You Can Make at Home


  • Author: Maria
  • Total Time: 140 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 glasses 1x

Description

This Iced Green Tea is a refreshing blend of sweet and tart flavors, perfect for hot days. Made with just a few simple ingredients, it’s an invigorating and hydrating beverage that can be easily customized to your taste. Enjoy it chilled, garnished with fresh mint and lemon for a delightful twist.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups of water
  • 4 green tea bags
  • 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice
  • Ice cubes
  • Fresh mint leaves (optional, for garnish)
  • Additional lemon slices (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Start by boiling the water. In a medium-sized pot, bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil. Filtered water is preferred for a cleaner taste.
  2. Once the water is boiling, remove it from the heat and add the 4 green tea bags, ensuring they are fully submerged.
  3. Let the tea bags steep for about 5-7 minutes. A steeping time of around 6 minutes is ideal for a balanced flavor.
  4. Carefully remove the tea bags, squeezing them gently to extract any remaining liquid without over-squeezing, which can make the tea bitter.
  5. While the tea is still warm, add the 1/2 cup of granulated sugar and stir until completely dissolved.
  6. Allow the tea to cool to room temperature, which can be expedited by placing the pot in a cold water bath.
  7. Once cooled, squeeze about 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice (roughly 1-2 lemons) and stir it into the tea.
  8. Taste the tea and adjust sweetness or tartness by adding more sugar or lemon juice if desired.
  9. Transfer the tea to a glass pitcher and cover it.
  10. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator and let it chill for at least 2 hours.
  11. Fill a glass halfway with ice cubes.
  12. Pour the chilled green tea over the ice, watching it take on a vibrant green hue.
  13. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and lemon slices for an elevated presentation.
  14. Cover any leftover iced green tea and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  15. When serving leftovers, add fresh ice cubes to maintain the tea’s flavor.

Notes

  • Experiment with different types of green tea for unique flavor profiles.
  • Adjust the sweetness to your preference by starting with less sugar.
  • For a fruity twist, consider adding slices of fresh fruit like peaches or berries.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes