Green Tea Sparkling Fruit Beverage Recipe
Introduction
Green Tea Soda is a refreshing and lightly sweetened drink perfect for warm days. Combining the subtle flavors of green tea with sparkling water and fresh fruit, it’s a delightful twist on traditional iced tea.
Ingredients
- 8 bags green tea
- 4 cups boiling water
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 4 cups assorted fresh fruit, such as nectarine wedges, lemon or lime slices, blueberries, and/or raspberries
- 1 liter plain sparkling water, chilled
- Fresh mint
Instructions
- Step 1: Add tea bags to boiling water and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes; remove and discard tea bags. Stir in honey until dissolved. Cover and chill the brewed tea.
- Step 2: While the tea is chilling, slice the fresh fruit into wedges or slices as desired.
- Step 3: Divide the chilled tea mixture evenly among eight to ten 12-ounce glasses.
- Step 4: Add a variety of the sliced fresh fruit to each glass.
- Step 5: Fill each glass with chilled sparkling water.
- Step 6: Top each drink with a sprig of fresh mint for garnish and extra aroma.
Tips & Variations
- Use flavored sparkling water like lemon or lime to add an extra zing.
- Adjust honey sweetness to taste or substitute with agave syrup for a vegan option.
- Try adding a splash of fresh lemon juice for brighter acidity.
- Freeze some fruit in ice cubes to keep drinks chilled without dilution.
Storage
Store the brewed tea (without sparkling water and fruit) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Add sparkling water and fresh fruit just before serving to maintain fizz and freshness.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use iced tea instead of brewing fresh?
Yes, you can use unsweetened iced green tea if you’re short on time, but fresh brewed tea often has a fuller flavor.
What sparkling water brands work best?
Choose plain or lightly flavored sparkling water without added sugars for the best balance and to let the tea and fruit flavors shine.
PrintGreen Tea Sparkling Fruit Beverage Recipe
Refreshing and lightly sweetened Green Tea Soda infused with fresh fruit and mint, perfect for a cooling, vibrant beverage on a hot day.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 13 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Tea Base
- 8 bags green tea
- 4 cups boiling water
- 3 tablespoons honey
Fruit and Garnish
- 4 cups assorted fresh fruit (nectarine wedges, lemon or lime slices, blueberries, raspberries)
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Soda
- 1 liter plain sparkling water, chilled
Instructions
- Brew the Green Tea: Place 8 green tea bags into 4 cups of boiling water, allowing them to steep for 2 to 3 minutes to extract a gentle flavor. Remove the tea bags and discard them to prevent over-brewing and bitterness.
- Sweeten the Tea: Stir in 3 tablespoons of honey into the warm tea until fully dissolved. Then cover the tea and refrigerate it until chilled, preparing it for a refreshing cold drink.
- Prepare the Fruit: While the tea chills, slice the fresh assorted fruit such as nectarines, lemons, limes, blueberries, and raspberries into bite-sized pieces or wedges, ready to enhance the beverage with natural sweetness and color.
- Assemble the Soda: Divide the chilled honey-green tea evenly among eight to ten glasses, each about 12 ounces. Add a generous amount of the prepared fresh fruit into each glass to infuse flavor and visual appeal.
- Add Sparkling Water and Garnish: Fill each glass with chilled plain sparkling water to top off the soda. Garnish with fresh mint leaves to provide a bright, aromatic finish before serving immediately.
Notes
- Adjust the honey amount to taste depending on your preferred sweetness level or substitute with a vegan sweetener if desired.
- Use a mix of fresh seasonal fruits for best flavor and presentation.
- For a stronger tea flavor, steep the tea bags slightly longer but avoid bitterness.
- Ensure the sparkling water is well chilled to maintain fizz when added.
- This recipe can be prepared ahead by brewing and chilling the tea, then assembling just before serving.
Keywords: green tea soda, sparkling tea, fruit-infused drink, refreshing beverage, summer drink, honey sweetened soda
