Iced Mint Green Tea

This is green tea reimagined as a cocktail. Fresh mint and green tea bags steep together in boiling water with honey so the mint oils release alongside the tea’s grassy notes. Chill the base first, then split it over ice-filled glasses topped with a generous pour of sake.

Sake might sound unexpected, but its clean rice-wine flavor doesn’t muddy the tea the way bolder spirits would. It just adds a subtle floral warmth that plays well with mint. A stalk of lemongrass stuck in the glass works as both a garnish and a lightly flavored stirrer, releasing citrus notes as you sip.

The non-alcoholic version is just as good. Skip the sake and top with a splash of sparkling water for a lightly fizzy mocktail that’s all tea, mint, and honey.

Kitchen Tips

• Do not oversteep the green tea. Five minutes max or it turns bitter and astringent.
• Bruise the mint leaves lightly with a wooden spoon before steeping to release more essential oil.
• Chill the tea base fully before serving. Pouring warm tea over ice dilutes everything.
• Use raw or wildflower honey for a more complex sweetness than standard clover.

Variations

• Swap sake for vodka or gin for a stronger cocktail lean.
• Add a few slices of cucumber to the glass for a spa-water twist.
• Steep with a strip of fresh ginger alongside the tea bags for subtle heat.