Lychee Iced Tea is a pleasant refreshing beverage that perfectly captures the essence of summer in a glass. It’s also incredibly easy to make! All you need are just 4 ingredients – fresh and ripe lychee fruit, sugar, green tea, and filtered water. With its bright hue and smooth flavor, lychee tea is a show-stopper.
What is Lychee?
Originating from Southeast Asia, lychee is a small, round fruit with a sweet floral taste. It contains a decent size pit seed in the middle. You may also find these fruit with the spelling lichi, or litchi. When blended with the robust flavor of tea, and served chilled over ice, it creates a uniquely refreshing drink that tastes sweet and tropical. It’s the perfect way to cool down on a hot day, or simply when you need a burst of exotic flavors.
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What does Lychee Taste Like?
Lychee has a light sweet taste to it. It reminds me of a tropical fruit with floral notes. Although it is more common for people to comment on the unique flowery taste of this fruit.
Why you will LOVE this Lychee Green Tea Recipe!
- Refreshing bright flavors.
- Simple to Make
- A unique twist on the classic iced tea
- Impressive taste and look
Fresh Lychee Iced Tea! (Recipe and Guide)
Ready for a fresh new iced tea recipe? Using just a handful of ingredients, you’ll be able to craft a drink that is as beautiful to look at as it is to sip. The secret to the perfect lychee iced tea is in its simplicity, preparing the few ingredients perfectly.
Ingredients in Lychee Iced Tea
- Fresh Lychee Fruit (about 9 – not all are pictured as I used too many before photographing.)
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
- 1/2 cup Water (for Syrup)
- 8 Cups of Water (for Tea)
- 8 Green Tea Bags (I used sencha green tea)
Important Supplies
- Mason Jar
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Large pitcher
How to Make Lychee Iced Tea
Make Tea
Bring 8 cups of water to just under a boil, about 175- 180 degrees. ( Pro Tip: Use an electric kettle to get the exact temperature. ) Add 8 tea bags to your teapot and pour over water. Cover the tea and allow to steep for 3-5 minutes. Remove tea bags squeezing out excess liquid. (PRO TIP: use tea bag tongs to save fingers from the hot water!) Allow the tea to cool completely. You can put the tea in the fridge to help it cool off quickly with the lid slightly ajar to let out the steam.
Make Lychee Syrup
Peel and remove the seeds from the lychees. (This is easier said than done!) Add lychee, sugar, and 1/2 cup water to a small pot and cook over low heat until the sugar has dissolved.
Let the mixture steep and extract all the flavors for another 10-15 minutes.
Strain out the fruit and transfer the syrup to a heat-safe jar.
Once both syrup and tea are cool, mix together in a large pitcher.
Serve
Serve lychee tea over ice and garnish with fresh fruit and mint!
Tips and Tricks
- If you want your Lychee Iced Tea to be sweeter, feel free to add more sugar.
- Too hot for cooking on the stovetop? Try cold brewing your green tea.
- For an added touch, garnish your drinks with lime slices, fresh mint leaves, or edible flowers.
- For a unique twist consider cold brewing and using sparkling water instead of regular filtered water.
- To avoid having any ice cubes diluting your drink, consider using frozen lychee for ice cubes, or making green tea ice cubes.
How to Store Lychee Iced Tea
The beauty of iced lychee tea is that it can be made ahead and easily stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, simply pour into a tall glass over ice and enjoy!
Health Benefits of Lychee
Loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, lychee may come with a host of health benefits. For starters, it’s rich in Vitamin C, which boosts the immune system, aids in collagen production, and helps in the absorption of iron. Additionally, the antioxidants present in this delightful fruit may help to protect against an array of diseases, including cancer and heart diseases, by neutralizing harmful free radicals in the body.
(source)
Health Risks of Lychee
While lychee is undoubtedly packed with many health benefits, it’s also essential to be aware of its potential risks. One risk from lychee is that it contains a toxin that can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) particularly if consumed in large quantities and on an empty stomach. Therefore, it is advised to consume lychees in moderation and not on an empty stomach.
Additionally, lychees are a high-sugar fruit, which can be a concern for those with diabetes or anyone watching their sugar intake. A single serving of lychee contains about 15.2 grams of sugar, so keep this in mind when indulging in your Lychee Iced Tea.
As with most food, some people may have an allergy to lychees.
This is not an exhaustive list, but being aware of potential risks can help you enjoy this refreshing beverage safely and responsibly.
As always, consult your doctor before making changes to your health routine.
(source)
Health Benefits of Green Tea
Green tea is also an important ingredient in Lychee Iced Tea. It is held in high regard for its numerous health benefits. To begin with, it’s a rich source of powerful antioxidants known as flavonoids, which may play a role in reducing inflammation and helping to fight cancer. Regular consumption of green tea could also aid in weight loss.
Health Risks of Green Tea
While green tea is widely celebrated for its health-boosting properties, it’s important to note that it also comes with its own unique set of risks when consumed excessively.
As with all things, moderation is key. Always remember to consult with a healthcare professional if you have any health-related concerns regarding your tea consumption.
(source)
Lychee Iced Variations
Lipton Lychee Tea
If you prefer black tea instead of green tea, try substituting it with Lipton tea in your litchi tea. This refreshing lychee black tea is a deliciously fruity drink that you won’t be able to resist!
Lemon lychee iced tea
For a tangy twist on your iced tea, why not try adding some freshly squeezed lemon juice to your Lychee Iced Tea? This deliciously refreshing beverage combines the sweet flavor of lychee with a hint of tartness that will have you coming back for more! It makes for an ideal summer cooler.
Honey Lychee Iced Tea
Honey and lychee make a winning combination. You can substitute honey for sugar in this recipe making it refined sugar-free.
Jasmine Lychee Iced Tea
Jasmine green tea is a type of green tea scented with jasmine flowers. It is one of my favorite green teas as it smells and tastes delightful. You can use jasmine green tea for green tea in this recipe if you prefer.
FAQs
- What is Lychee Iced Tea? Lychee Iced Tea is a refreshing and fruity summer drink made from fresh or canned lychee fruit,
- Is Lychee Iced Tea healthy? Yes, Lychee Iced Tea is a healthier alternative to sugary beverages such as soda or juice. It contains all fresh ingredients and low sugar, making it a fairly guilt-free treat that you can enjoy all summer long!
- How much Lychee Iced Tea should I drink each day? As with most things, consuming iced tea should always be enjoyed in moderation. Remember to consult with a healthcare professional if you have any health-related concerns regarding your tea consumption.
- Can I make Lychee Iced Tea at home? Yes, you can easily make this tea at home by combining tea and lychee into a delicious drink. Try this simple yet delicious recipe. It is sure to impress.
- Does Lychee Iced Tea contain caffeine? Yes, Lychee Iced Tea contains caffeine, as it is made with green tea. However, the amount of caffeine varies depending on the type of tea used and the brewing duration. Therefore, reading ingredient labels and researching tea types and their caffeine content is advisable.
- Does Lychee Iced Tea contain sugar? This recipe for lychee iced tea does contain sugar. If you prefer you can substitute with honey, stevia, or another sweetener of your choice. Keep in mind this might alter the end result slightly.
- Is Lychee Iced Tea good for you? Yes, Lychee Iced Tea is generally considered to be healthy due to the high amount of antioxidants and other beneficial nutrients found in green tea and lychee. However, as with all beverages, moderation is key. Additionally, always remember to read ingredient labels and research tea types and their associated caffeine sources before consuming.
More Iced Tea Recipes You Will Love!
I hope you enjoy this iced tea recipe. Leave a comment below and let’s connect! If you try this recipe, please come back and leave a review!
Lychee Iced Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- Fresh Lychee Fruit about 9
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
- 1/2 cup Water for Syrup
- 8 Cups of Water for Tea
- 8 Green Tea Bags
Instructions
- Bring 8 cups of water to just under a boil, about 175- 180 degrees. ( pro tip: Use an electric kettle to get the exact temperature. ) Add 8 tea bags to your teapot and pour over water. Cover the tea and allow to steep for 3-5 minutes. Remove tea bags squeezing out excess liquid. (PRO TIP: use tea bag tongs to save fingers from the hot water!) Allow the tea to cool completely. You can put the tea in the fridge to help it cool off quickly with the lid slightly ajar to let out the steam.
- Peel and remove the seeds from the lychees. (This is easier said than done!) Add lychee, sugar, and 1/2 cup water to a small pot and cook over low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Let the mixture steep and extract all the flavors for another 10-15 minutes.
- Strain out the fruit and transfer the syrup to a heat-safe jar.
- Once both syrup and tea are cool, mix together in a large pitcher.
Notes
- If you want your Lychee Iced Tea to be sweeter, feel free to add more sugar.
- Too hot for cooking on the stovetop? Try cold brewing your green tea.
- For an added touch, garnish your drinks with fresh mint leaves or edible flowers.
- For a unique twist consider cold brewing and using sparkling water instead of regular filtered water.
- To avoid having any ice cubes diluting your drink, consider using frozen lychee for ice cubes, or making green tea ice cubes.
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only.
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