Copycat Panera Iced Green Tea

Short description

This homemade version of Panera’s famous Iced Green Tea is refreshingly sweet, aromatic, and bursting with tropical flavors. With a perfect balance of passion fruit, papaya, and green tea, this drink is ideal for cooling off on a warm day or enjoying as a refreshing beverage at any time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Tropical flavor: The combination of passion fruit, papaya, and green tea offers a deliciously refreshing, fruity taste that’s perfect for a hot day.
• Customizable sweetness: You can adjust the sweetness to your liking with homemade simple syrup.
• Easy to make: This recipe comes together in just a few minutes, and it’s so much cheaper than buying it from Panera!
• Garnish for freshness: Fresh mint adds an extra burst of flavor and visual appeal, making this drink not just tasty but beautiful too.
• Perfectly chilled: This iced tea is served over ice to keep it crisp and refreshing, making it a great summer beverage.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 4 cups water, divided
• 1 quart-size tea bag (or 5–6 single-serving tea bags) of PassionFruit Papaya Green Tea or Sweet Iced Tropical Green Tea
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 6 sprigs fresh mint (optional)
• Ice

Directions

Brew the Tea:

1. Heat the water: Bring 3 cups of water to a near boil in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat just before it starts to boil.
2. Steep the tea: Pour 2 cups of the hot water into a heatproof glass pitcher. Add the tea bag (or multiple smaller tea bags) and steep for 3 minutes. Avoid steeping longer to prevent bitterness.
3. Prepare simple syrup: While the tea is steeping, combine the remaining 1 cup of hot water with sugar in the saucepan. Stir until the sugar completely dissolves, creating a simple syrup.

Assemble the Drink:

4. Remove the tea bags: After 3 minutes, remove the tea bags from the pitcher.
5. Cool the tea: Add 1 cup of cold water to the brewed tea to cool it down slightly. Stir in the simple syrup, adjusting the sweetness to your taste.
6. Serve: Fill glasses with ice and pour the sweetened iced tea over the ice. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs for an extra touch of freshness.

Enjoy:

7. Enjoy: Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing, tropical flavors of your homemade iced green tea!

Servings and timing

• Serves 4
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cooking time: 5 minutes
• Total time: 15 minutes

Variations

• More fruity: Add a splash of fruit juice, such as pineapple or mango, for an extra tropical twist.
• Less sweet: Use less simple syrup or substitute with honey or a sugar substitute if you prefer a lighter sweetness.
• Herbal option: Add extra herbs like basil or lemongrass for an added aromatic touch.
• Iced tea cubes: Freeze some of the tea in an ice cube tray and use these cubes instead of regular ice to keep the drink from diluting.

Storage/Reheating

• Refrigeration: Store leftover iced tea in a pitcher or airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Reheating: To serve hot, simply reheat the tea in a microwave-safe container or on the stovetop, and enjoy as a warm drink.

FAQs

1. Can I use regular green tea instead of the tropical blends?

Yes, you can use regular green tea, but the tropical flavor will be missed. If you prefer, you can infuse the tea with fruit like lemon, lime, or pineapple for a tropical twist.

2. Can I make this drink without sugar?

Yes, you can skip the sugar or replace it with a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit for a low-calorie version.

3. Can I use bottled tea instead of brewing it myself?

You can use store-bought green tea, but brewing it yourself allows you to control the strength and flavor. Plus, it’s fresher!

4. Can I make this iced tea in advance?

Absolutely! Brew the tea, let it cool, then refrigerate it for a few hours before serving. Add the ice and mint right before serving.

5. How can I make this drink sweeter?

If you like your iced tea sweeter, simply add more simple syrup to taste, or adjust it with honey or your preferred sweetener.

6. Can I add alcohol to this iced green tea?

Yes, this tea would pair well with vodka or rum for a light, refreshing cocktail. Add to taste for a tropical drink with a kick.

7. Can I make this in a larger batch?

Yes! You can double or triple the recipe for larger gatherings or to keep in the fridge for multiple servings.

8. How do I prevent the ice from watering down the drink?

Use tea ice cubes! Freeze some of the brewed tea in an ice cube tray and use these ice cubes in place of regular ones to maintain the flavor of the tea.

9. Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of a fresh lemon?

Yes, but fresh lemon juice gives the best, most vibrant flavor. Bottled lemon juice can be a substitute if necessary.

10. What’s the best way to store this iced tea?

Store the iced tea in an airtight container in the fridge. Make sure it’s properly sealed to maintain freshness.

Conclusion

This Copycat Panera Iced Green Tea is an easy, refreshing, and tropical twist on your regular iced tea. With its perfectly balanced sweetness and aromatic mint garnish, it’s the perfect drink for a warm day or as a delicious treat any time. Plus, it’s customizable to your taste and super simple to make—so go ahead and enjoy the refreshing flavors of this homemade iced tea today!

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