This recipe for Hong Kong-Style Iced Lemon Tea is an easy and refreshing drink featuring strong Ceylon black tea that's lightly sweetened, with fresh slices of lemon.
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What is Hong Kong iced lemon tea?
Hong Kong-style iced lemon tea, or dong ling cha (凍檸茶), is a beloved drink found in every Hong Kong-style café (cha chaan teng).
It is a bold, brisk and refreshing drink made with strong black tea that's slightly sweetened, with thin lemon slices that slowly infuse the drink.
HK iced lemon tea has a slightly bitter, slightly sweet, and perfectly citrusy flavor, which is a nostalgic favorite in Hong Kong cafes.
Why you'll love this recipe
Bold and refreshing: strong black tea gives it a characteristic bitterness that balances beautifully with the lemon.
Easy to make: like HK-style milk tea or yuenyueng tea coffee, there's no need to travel far for a taste of a Hong Kong cafe classic.
Customizable: add more or less sweetener to your taste.
Ingredients you'll need
- looseleaf black tea (or tea bags): Ceylon or Lipton Yellow Label (Orange Pekoe); the Ceylon looseleaf tea I use is finely ground
- hot water
- simple syrup: or use granulated sugar, dissolved in hot tea
- ice
- fresh lemon: thinly sliced
How to make Hong Kong lemon tea
Brew the tea:
Steep looseleaf tea (or tea bags) in hot water for 5-7 minutes until strong and aromatic.
Strain the tea leaves (or remove the bags) and let the tea cool.
Stir in simple syrup (or sugar) while the tea is still warm.
Chill the tea in the fridge until cold.
Cold brew method:
Alternatively, you can cold brew tea by placing the tea bags in cold water and placing it into the fridge overnight.
Sweeten to your taste.
*Note: if making cold brew tea, the tea will be less strong, so you can add more tea leaves/tea bags.
Assemble:
In a tall glass, add in ice, lemon juice and lemon slices.
Pour in the chilled tea and serve immediately.
How to store
Store the iced lemon tea for up to 24 hours in the fridge.
For best results, add the lemon juice and lemon slices just before serving.
Variations
Replace simple syrup with honey for a different depth of sweetness.
Substitute half the lemon juice with yuzu juice for a unique citrus profile.
Use kaffir lime syrup for variation on lemon.
Add a few fresh basil leaves when serving for an aromatic twist.
Mix equal parts of this iced lemon tea with iced green tea for a refreshing variation that is popular in some Hong Kong cafés.
Expert tips
Use simple syrup: it dissolves better than granulated sugar and makes for a smoother drink. The simple syrup will keep for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Fresh is best: thinly sliced fresh lemons slowly infuse the tea with bright flavor.
Make it ahead: use cold brew tea and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. *Note: if making cold brew tea, the tea will be less strong, so you can add more tea leaves/tea bags.
Customize tea strength: brew your tea stronger than you might typically drink it. The ice and lemon will balance the intensity.
Hong Kong-style tea is meant to be strong and slightly tannic, but feel free to brew to your taste.
FAQs
Can I use tea bags instead of loose tea?
Yes, though loose tea provides more authentic flavor.
Can I make this with less sugar?
Absolutely! Adjust the simple syrup to your preference. Traditional Hong Kong-style versions tend to be fairly sweet, but you can reduce or even omit the sweetener.
Other delicious tea recipes you may like
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Hong Kong-Style Iced Lemon Tea
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon black Ceylon tea leaves finely ground
- 2 C hot boiling water
- 1-2 tablespoon simple syrup or granulated sugar, to your taste
- ice cubes
- 2 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice divided
- 3-4 fresh lemon slices
Instructions
Brew the tea:
- Steep looseleaf tea (or tea bags) in hot water for 5-7 minutes until strong and aromatic.
- Strain the tea leaves (or remove the bags) and let the tea cool.
- Stir in simple syrup (or sugar) while the tea is still warm (to your taste).
- Chill the tea in the fridge until cold.
Cold brew method:
- Alternatively, you can cold brew tea by placing the tea bags in cold water and placing it into the fridge overnight.
- Sweeten to your taste.
- *Note: if making cold brew tea, the tea will be less strong, so you can add more tea leaves/tea bags.
Assemble:
- In a tall glass, add in ice, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and lemon slices.
- Pour in the chilled tea and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
It's been quite chilly here in Nova Scotia for a while (like around 10 degrees C). But I'm looking into the warmer season to enjoy all the iced tea and lemonade 🙂 This looks so refreshing!
Michelle
Yes, it's been a slow start to warm weather here as well... definitely looking forward to enjoying more lemon teas though! 😀 Thanks Ben!
Healthy World Cuisine
So refreshing on a warm day. There is something magical about cold brewing as you can leave it overnight and it does not get bitter.
Michelle
Yes! Love cold brewing since it's so hands-off and tastes so good! 😀 Thanks Bobbi!