A homemade orange and rosemary ice tea with green tea is a great non-alcoholic aperitif and a perfect drink for hot days or to serve guests. The ice tea with oranges is easy to make, refreshing and so delicious!
If you like rosemary, then this orange ice tea is definitely something for you! It is a classic example of how easy it is to make something yourself and how much better it tastes than store bought products!
No no refined sugar, no artificial flavors. This simple orange ice tea with green tea contains only the finest natural ingredients.
Homemade Citrus Ice Tea with Rosemary - Ingredients
Green Tea. The base is green tea. Prepare the tea according to the packaging instructions and let it cool in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. It is important that you do not let the tea steep in hot water for too long, otherwise it will become bitter.
Fresh Orange and Lemon Juice. I highly recommend to use freshly squeezed lemon and orange juice. It tastes much better than the packaged juices and this homemade ice tea will be extra delicious.
Rosemary. For this easy orange ice tea you need fresh rosemary. It is boiled in water and then left to steep for a few hours or overnight. This way the water gets the most and best flavors.
Honey. This homemade ice tea with rosemary is sweetened with honey. You can dose this according to your taste.
Note: The colder the ice tea, the less sweet it tastes. It's best to taste it again right before serving and then add a more honey if necessary.
Ginger. The ginger provides a great taste and a slight spiciness. It harmonizes incredibly well with the oranges and lemons.
Ice. Use lots of ice for this orange and rosemary ice tea. It's your choice if you use crushed ice or ice cubes.
How to make Homemade Orange and Rosemary Ice Tea
- Bring the ginger and rosemary to the boil in the water. Remove from the heat and stir in the honey. Chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight.
- Prepare the green tea according to the packaging instructions. Remove the tea bags or tea leaves and also chill for 4 hours or overnight.
- Before serving, remove the rosemary and ginger from the water. Mix rosemary water, green tea and freshly squeezed orange and lemon juice. The orange and rosemary ice tea is then served in a glass with ice cubes or crushed ice.
Homemade Orange Ice Tea with Rosemary - Tips & FAQ
NOTEGreen Tea contains caffeine which has a very activating effect. That's why this orange ice tea with green tea is not suitable for small children.
How far in advance can I prepare the orange ice tea?
You can make the green tea and rosemary ginger water up to 24 hours in advance. However, you should remove the rosemary sprigs and ginger from the water after 12 hours to prevent it from becoming bitter. I recommend that you squeeze the orange and lemon juice fresh before serving and then mix everything together.
Why is my green tea bitter?
If green tea steeps for too long, it becomes bitter. Therefore, follow the preparation instructions on the packaging carefully. This gives you a delicious, mild-tasting green tea.
Can I replace the honey with another sweetener?
Yes. Maple syrup is a perfect substitute.
Homemade Orange and Rosemary Ice Tea
Ingredients
- 300 ml water
- 3 sprigs rosemary fresh
- 2 cm ginger peeled; fresh
- 3 tbsp honey
- 300 ml green tea prepared according to the packaging instructions
- 4 medium oranges squeezed; approx. 1 cup of juice
- 1 medium lemon squeezed
- ice cubes for serving
Instructions
- At least 4 hours before serving:Put the water with the rosemary and ginger in a pot and bring to the boil. Turn off the heat, stir in the honey and let it cool (do not remove the rosemary). Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
- Prepare the green tea according to the packaging instructions. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
- Before serving: squeeze the oranges and lemons. Prepare glasses.
- Remove the rosemary sprigs and ginger from the water. Combine the rosemary water, green tea, and orange and lemon juice in a large container or jar. Taste and sweeten with more honey if desired.
- Fill the glasses with plenty of ice cubes and top with the ice tea. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
