Prep Time
10 mins
Servings
4 Servings
Cook Time
5 mins
Difficulty
Easy
A bright, non-alcoholic spritz that pairs strong black tea with fresh lemon and sparkling water for a cafe-quality refreshment at home.
Ingredients
600ml cold water (for brewing)
4 black tea bags (English breakfast)
75g caster sugar (adjust to taste or use honey to substitute)
75ml water (for simple syrup) (equal part with sugar by volume for quick syrup)
100ml fresh lemon juice, juice of 3-4 lemons
1 lemon lemon zest, finely zested (optional, adds extra aroma to the syrup)
600ml sparkling water, chilled
ice cubes (for serving)
1 lemon slices, thinly sliced (for garnish)
8g fresh mint, lightly bruised
Method
Step 1
Make a strong tea by placing 4 tea bags into 600ml cold water in a heatproof jug and steeping for 5 minutes; remove the tea bags and allow the tea to cool slightly.
Step 2
Meanwhile make a quick lemon syrup: combine 75g caster sugar and 75ml water in a small saucepan with the lemon zest. Gently heat until the sugar dissolves, then simmer for 1–2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in 100ml fresh lemon juice. Leave to cool.
Step 3
Strain the lemon syrup to remove zest if you prefer a clear drink. Taste and adjust sweetness with a little more sugar or lemon juice if needed.
Step 4
In a large jug combine the cooled tea and the lemon syrup. Stir well to combine.
Step 5
To assemble each serving, fill a tall glass with ice cubes, pour 150ml of the tea–lemon mix and top with 150ml chilled sparkling water. Stir gently to combine.
Step 6
Garnish with a lemon slice and a sprig of mint. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information
Per serving:
Energy - 82kcal
Protein - 0.2g
Carbohydrates - 20.5g
Fat - 0g
Fibre - 0.1g
This nutritional information is provided as a helpful estimate. Values may vary depending on the ingredients and portion sizes you use.
Recipe Notes
Make the lemon syrup in advance and keep chilled for up to 3 days. For a lower-sugar version, reduce the sugar to 50g and sweeten to taste.
