Skip the drive-thru and make this easy copycat Panera iced green tea at home!
Tropical green tea creates a refreshing base, and simple syrup sweetens it to perfection. Then, add ice and fresh mint for a cool, invigorating twist!
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This drink is perfect for sunny afternoons or whenever you need a little pick-me-up.
It’s ready in minutes, delicious, and budget-friendly.
Why You'll Love This Copycat Panera Iced Green Tea
Perfect for Entertaining: Impress guests with a homemade iced tea that feels gourmet yet is incredibly simple to prepare. And you can brew it days in advance because the flavor improves as it sits.
Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor: With a few pantry staples, this recipe delivers a vibrant, delicious, and tropical tea. It tastes far more complex than its easy preparation suggests.
Year-Round Refreshment: This iced green tea offers a bright and refreshing escape any time of year. It's perfect for hot summer days or a taste of warmth in the winter cold.
Customization Queen: This recipe serves as a foolproof base for endless variations. You can make it sweeter, mintier, or with a different tropical tea blend. Add fresh fruit slices or try it with honey instead of sugar for a personalized twist.
Ingredients
- Green Tea: The star of the recipe!
- Water: For brewing the tea and dissolving the sugar into a simple syrup.
- Granulated Sugar: It adds a subtle sweetness, balancing the earthy tones of green tea.
- Fresh Mint (Optional): An optional garnish lends a cool, aromatic freshness, elevating the tea's overall flavor.
- Ice: It's essential for chilling the tea instantly.
How to Make Copycat Panera Iced Green Tea
This tea is as easy as 1-2-3!
1. Heat the water. Bring 3 cups of water to a near boil, then remove from heat.
2. Steep the tea. Pour 2 cups of hot water into a heat-proof pitcher, add tea bags, and steep for 3 minutes.
3. Make the simple syrup. Dissolve the sugar in the remaining 1 cup of hot water.
4. Combine the tea and syrup. Remove the tea bags and add 1 cup of cold water to cool it. Stir in the simple syrup.
5. Serve over ice. Pour tea over ice-filled glasses and garnish with mint if desired.
Tips for the Best Iced Green Tea
Make this tea Panera perfect with these tips.
- Treat yourself to the best tea. Republic of Tea’s PassionFruit Papaya Green Tea and Sweet Tropical Green Tea are closest to Panera's blend. Harney & Sons Tropical Green is another excellent option.
- Pre-rinse the tea bags. Rinse the tea bags with cool water before steeping. This removes any residue and enhances the smoothness of the tea.
- Don't boil! Steep the green tea at 175–185°Fahrenheit to prevent bitterness. Use a kitchen thermometer to watch the temp. Or let boiled water rest for 2–3 minutes before adding tea bags.
- Select your sweetness. Don’t sweeten the entire batch of tea. Store the tea and simple syrup separately. Then, mix the syrup into individual servings. This allows you to cater to the sweetness preferences of your guests.
- Freshen it up. Gently bruise or slap the mint leaves before garnishing. This releases their aromatic oils and amplifies their flavor.
- Upgrade the ice. Use tea to make ice cubes. This prevents the drink from diluting as the ice melts, preserving its taste.
Substitutions and Variations
Want to switch things up? Here are a few fun ideas.
- Try other sweeteners. Instead of simple syrup, try honey, agave syrup, or pure maple syrup. Or replace the sugar with stevia, monk fruit sweetener, or erythritol for a low-calorie option.
- Flavor the simple syrup. Infuse your simple syrup with lime, fresh ginger, or mint while heating. Strain before adding to the tea.
- Garnish creatively. Garnish with mint, lime slice, a pineapple wedge, fresh berries, or frozen passion fruit.
- Make it your own. Add a splash of fresh lime, lemon, or orange juice to enhance the tropical notes of the tea. Or add fresh pineapple, peaches, or mango to the pitcher for a natural fruity twist.
How to Store
Here's how to keep leftover tea fresh.
To Store: Place in an air-tight container or pitcher in the refrigerator for 3 days. For the best flavor, consume within the first 2 days. Before serving, give the tea a quick stir as some settling may occur. Serve over fresh ice for the most refreshing taste.
The simple syrup can be prepared ahead of time. Refrigerate it in an air-tight container for up to a week.
Copycat Panera Iced Green Tea
4
servings10
minutes5
minutes147
kcalThis copycat Panera iced green tea is so light and refreshing! Skip stopping by the store and whip up a glass whenever the craving strikes.
Ingredients
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
Instructions
- Bring 3 cups of water to a near boil in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat just before it boils.
- Pour 2 cups of the hot water into a heat-proof glass pitcher. Add the tea bag (or multiple smaller tea bags) and steep for 3 minutes. Avoid over-steeping to prevent bitterness.
- While the tea is steeping, combine the remaining 1 cup of hot water with sugar in the saucepan. Stir until the sugar fully dissolves, creating a simple syrup.
- Remove the tea bags after steeping. Add 1 cup of cold water to the brewed tea to cool it slightly. Then, stir in the simple syrup to sweeten the tea to your desired taste.
- Fill glasses with ice and pour the tea over the ice. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs for an extra burst of freshness.
Notes
- Republic of Tea’s PassionFruit Papaya Green Tea and Sweet Tropical Green Tea taste the closest to Panera's blend.
- Adjust the sweetness to your preference by adding more or less syrup.
- Use tea ice cubes to prevent dilution and preserve the drink's taste.
