How to Make the Perfect Minty Oolong Limeade
Taiwanese-American · Easy · 15 min · 2 servings
This refreshing minty oolong limeade combines the complex toasty and floral notes of oolong tea with cooling fresh mint and tangy lime juice for a uniquely layered summer drink. This easy homemade oolong limeade recipe is a sophisticated twist on classic limeade that tea enthusiasts will love.
Why this recipe works
This Minty Oolong Limeade recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 15 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 70 calories with 0g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 tsp loose leaf oolong tea
- 480 ml hot water at 85 degrees Celsius
- 10 whole fresh mint leaves
- 80 ml fresh lime juice
- 3 tbsp simple syrup
- 2 cups ice cubes
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Brew the Oolong with Mint
Place the loose leaf oolong tea in an infuser and steep in water heated to 85 degrees Celsius for 3 minutes. In the final minute of steeping add the fresh mint leaves directly to the hot tea to gently infuse them, then remove both the tea leaves and mint leaves together.
Step 2: Sweeten and Add Lime
While the tea is still slightly warm stir in the simple syrup until fully dissolved. Allow the tea to cool to room temperature then add fresh lime juice and stir to combine the citrus with the minty oolong base.
Step 3: Serve Over Ice
Fill two tall glasses generously with ice cubes and pour the minty oolong limeade evenly between the glasses. Garnish each glass with a sprig of fresh mint and a lime wedge pressed on the rim, then serve immediately.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- loose leaf oolong tea → oolong tea bags steeped for 2 minutes
- simple syrup → mint simple syrup for extra mint intensity
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Steeping oolong tea at too high a temperature or for too long which makes it bitter and covers up its subtle floral notes
- Over-infusing the mint leaves which creates a medicinal menthol flavor that overwhelms the delicate oolong character
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 70 calories, 0g protein, 18g carbs, 0g fat, 0g fiber.
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