Lemon Tea with Raw Honey and Fresh Juice on ice is a delightfully refreshing, naturally sweetened beverage.
We’ve been having some gorgeous weather in Southwestern Ontario! It’s a nice early start to summer. I relish the season of sitting on the front porch or back deck with a tall, thirst-quenching glass of iced tea and some Lemon Coconut Chia Balls.
I haven’t always been a big iced tea fan. I’m really more of a coffee lover, myself. However, I wanted to like iced tea, and I think I’ve finally got it right! This lemony tea is slightly sweetened with just enough raw honey. I see more iced tea in our future now!
Iced Tea
As I’ve learned during the time we’ve spent traveling in the United States, iced tea means different things to different people. Many Canadians think of the sweet, sugary drink that comes in a can or is mixed up from a powder (Does that still exist?). It bears little resemblance to actual brewed tea. It’s been ages since I’ve had that!
In the States, iced tea is more often real steeped tea that has been chilled. It comes either sweetened or unsweetened. The sweetened tea has far more sugar in it than I like, so I’ll combine the two when I have the opportunity. I should mention at this point that it’s just called tea there. In most places, if you ask for tea you’ll get iced tea. If you ask for hot tea, you might send the restaurant kitchen into a tizzy!
Iced Lemon Tea with Raw Honey
Since I enjoy my food and drink in the most natural form possible, I prefer my iced tea closer to the American style. I sweeten it with raw honey after the tea has cooled down a little, so as not to destroy the nutritional benefits of the honey. Raw honey is a good source of antioxidants and has antibacterial and anti fungal properties. However, heating honey destroys many of the nutrients and enzymes. I also give my tea some zip by adding a little lemon.
This iced tea is easy to make and refreshing. The caffeine will give you a little boost. Enjoy a delicious, cold drink that’s actually good for you!
For a cold drink without the caffeine, use decaffeinated tea or make Fresh Lemonade with Honey or a Watermelon Slushie.
How do you like your iced tea?
Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 bags dried tea
- 8 cups boiling water
- ½ cup raw honey
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 additional lemon for garnish
- ice for serving
Instructions
- Pour boiling water over teabags. Let steep for 3 minutes. Remove tea bags.
- Allow to cool for 30 minutes so the heat doesn't destroy the enzymes in the raw honey. If you're not using raw honey, this step is not important.
- Stir in honey and lemon juice. Chill in refrigerator.
- Garnish with slices of lemon and serve over ice.
Fabian says
This is a wonderful recipe.
When I found it, it was just what I was searching for.
Healthy alternative for me. Couldn’t find healthy juice drink, or carbonated solution. So, this provided the answer as to what I want to do, what I should be drinking.
Delicious!!!
Thank you Cathy, never stop doing what you’re doing.
Cathy Brak says
I’m so happy you found this, Fabian! Thank you for taking the time to share your appreciation.