Soft white tea, sweet guava and a squeeze of lemon: tastes like a holiday in a glass.
Prep10 min
Cook0 min
Total10 min
Serves4
LevelEasy
What makes it special
Sugar
Freshly squeezed lemon juice
Fresh mint leaves
I first had a guava drink on a trip years ago and never forgot that perfume-y, sweet flavor. This cooler brings it home: delicate white tea as the base, guava for sweetness and color, and lemon to keep it bright.
Why white tea?
White tea is the least processed tea there is. It has a soft, gentle flavor that never fights with the fruit, so the guava really shines. It's also easy to make bitter, so keep an eye on the clock.
Tips for the best cooler
Steep only 4 to 5 minutes. Longer and it turns bitter.
Sweeten while warm. Sugar dissolves much better in warm tea.
Strain the purée if it has seeds, for a smoother drink.
Taste, then adjust. Some guava purées are very sweet already.
Variations
Sparkling: swap some of the water for soda water.
Minty: add a few mint leaves while the tea steeps.
Coconut: replace part of the water with coconut water.
Layered: add a splash of pomegranate juice to the glass for a pretty sunset look.
When to serve it
Brunch, picnics, pool days and baby showers. It's lovely with fruit platters, croissants and little sandwiches.
Make it ahead
A full pitcher keeps for 3 days in the fridge, which makes it perfect for hot weeks. Just give it a stir before pouring.
Delicate white tea mixed with sweet guava purée and fresh lemon juice, chilled and served over ice. A light, fruity summer drink.
Drinks Easy American
Prep
10 min
Cook
0 min
Total
10 min
Servings
4
Ingredients 10 items
Tap to check off as you go
Tea Base
Lemonade Component
Garnishes
Instructions 5 steps
1
Steep the white tea bags in hot water for 4 to 5 minutes, then remove them.
2
Stir in the guava purée and sugar while the tea is still warm.
3
Add the lemon juice and cold water and mix well.
4
Chill for 1 to 2 hours.
5
Serve over ice with lemon, guava and mint.
Nutrition per serving
Calories
95
Carbs
24g
Sugar
20g
Questions, answered
Can I use green tea instead?
Yes. It works well but has a slightly stronger, grassier flavor than white tea.
Where do I find guava purée?
Look in the frozen fruit or international aisle, or blend fresh guava and strain out the seeds.
How do I make it sparkling?
Replace one cup of the cold water with sparkling water right before serving.
Recipe by
Denise
Home cook, baker and serial recipe tweaker. I share the dishes my family asks for most, written step by step so they turn out right in your kitchen too.
