Lemongrass Iced Tea
Why this recipe works
- Clean herbal refreshment: Fresh lemongrass brings a bright citrus aroma that keeps the tea light and cooling.
- Balanced sweetness: Sugar softens the tannins of the black tea without masking the lemongrass.
- Short active time: Most of the work is simple simmering, steeping and chilling, with only a few minutes of hands-on preparation.
- Easy to prepare ahead: The strained tea keeps well in the fridge, ready to pour over fresh ice when needed.
Get the most out of this recipe
Timing notes
- Cool before chilling: Let the tea come to room temperature before refrigerating so it chills evenly and keeps a clean flavour.
- Add ice at the end: Pour over ice just before serving to avoid watering down the tea.
Ingredient notes
- Bruise the lemongrass: Lightly crushing the stalk helps release its aromatic oils into the simmering water.
- Use good black tea: A clean, brisk loose-leaf black tea gives structure without overpowering the lemongrass.
- Adjust after steeping: Sweeten while the tea is still warm, then taste again once chilled as cold drinks can seem less sweet.
Make-ahead tips
- Make it in advance: Store the strained, sweetened tea in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Keep ice separate: Chill the tea on its own and add fresh ice only when serving for the clearest flavour.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pour the water into a saucepan. Trim the lemongrass, then lightly bruise it with the back of a spoon to help it release its aroma.
- Add the lemongrass to the pan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Simmer for 8 minutes, keeping it just below a rolling boil.
- Remove from the heat and add the dried black tea. Steep for 3 minutes for a clean, brisk flavour.
- Strain into a heatproof jug, then stir in the granulated sugar until fully dissolved. Let the tea cool to room temperature, then chill until cold.
- Fill a glass with the ice cubes and pour over the cold lemongrass tea. Serve straight away.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For a brighter lemongrass aroma, bruise the stalk well before simmering, but keep the simmer gentle so the tea stays clean-tasting.
- If serving later, chill the strained tea first and add the ice only at the last moment to avoid diluting the flavour.
Substitutions
- Replace granulated sugar with acacia honey for a softer sweetness; stir it in while the tea is still warm so it dissolves fully.
- Replace dried black tea with dried-jasmine-tea for a more floral iced tea that still pairs well with lemongrass.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Store the strained, sweetened tea in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Serve over fresh ice cubes; if the tea tastes muted after chilling, stir well before pouring.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 1 glasses
- Total time: 25min (8min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
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