Sparkling Chrysanthemum Tea Lemonade

We’ve taken two favourite drinks for the patio — lemonade and iced tea — and brought them together with a floral and fizzy twist! Chrysanthemum tea is naturally sweet with a mild flowery flavour. Mixed with fresh lemon juice, it’s incredibly refreshing and overflowing with spring and summer flavours. Add a bit of sparkle, and you’ve got an instant classic you’ll want again and again.

Prep Time
15 minutes
1 hour and 15 minutes chilling time
Cook Time
2 minutes
Servings
  • 2 cups (500 ml) water 2 cups (500 ml) water
  • ¾ cup (150 g) Redpath Simply Raw™ Turbinado Sugar ¾ cup (150 g) Redpath Simply Raw™ Turbinado Sugar
  • 2 pcs (4 g) lemon zest, wide strips 2 pcs (4 g) lemon zest, wide strips
  • 3 tbsp (9 g) dried food-grade chrysanthemum flowers OR looseleaf whole bud chrysanthemum tea 3 tbsp (9 g) dried food-grade chrysanthemum flowers OR looseleaf whole bud chrysanthemum tea
  • 1½ cups (375 ml) lemon juice, preferably freshly squeezed (8 to 10 lemons), chilled 1½ cups (375 ml) lemon juice, preferably freshly squeezed (8 to 10 lemons), chilled
  • 2 cups (500 ml) club soda OR sparkling water, chilled 2 cups (500 ml) club soda OR sparkling water, chilled

Garnish (optional):

  • Lemon wheels or slices Lemon wheels or slices
  • Wide strips of lemon zest Wide strips of lemon zest
  • Chrysanthemum flowers (food grade), fresh or dried Chrysanthemum flowers (food grade), fresh or dried

Equipment:

  • Medium heavy-bottomed saucepan (with lid) Medium heavy-bottomed saucepan (with lid)
  • Scale OR dry measuring cups Scale OR dry measuring cups
  • Heatproof spatula Heatproof spatula
  • Liquid measuring cup Liquid measuring cup
  • Measuring spoons Measuring spoons
  • Fine mesh sieve Fine mesh sieve
  • Pitcher (8 to 10 cup capacity) Pitcher (8 to 10 cup capacity)
  • Wooden spoon OR long-handled stirring spoon Wooden spoon OR long-handled stirring spoon
  • Tall drinking glasses x 6 (12 oz glasses) Tall drinking glasses x 6 (12 oz glasses)

Instructions

Step 1

In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine water, the Redpath Simply Raw™ Turbinado Sugar, and lemon zest. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar; 2 minutes.

Step 2

Remove from heat and add the chrysanthemum tea. Cover the pot with a lid and allow to steep; 5 to 10 minutes (see Chef’s Tips).

Step 3

Strain the sweetened tea mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large serving pitcher (see Chef’s Tips). Allow mixture to cool to room temperature; 15 minutes. Place into the fridge to chill; at least 1 hour.

Step 4

Remove the large pitcher from the fridge. Pour in the chilled lemon juice. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon to thoroughly mix. Add 1 cup of ice (more ice can be added later if a more diluted lemonade is preferred). Top pitcher off with the club soda (or sparkling water).

Fill individual glasses with ice, fill with the sparkling chrysanthemum tea lemonade, and garnish with lemon and/or chrysanthemum flowers.

Two glasses of sparkling chrysanthemum tea lemonade on a marble tray, served with lemon slices and chrysanthemum sprigs and flowers

Chef's Tips

*Keep liquids chilled in the fridge before assembling. This ensures a cold lemonade that is ready to be served immediately. It also reduces the need for additional ice, which will dilute the drink's flavour. 

*Loose leaf whole bud or dried whole chrysanthemum flowers are a higher quality tea than tea bags. White (tends to be higher quality) or yellow chrysanthemum tea can be used in this recipe. Look for flowers/buds that are closed or partially open. Opened buds/flowers have less flavour.

*Chrysanthemum tea can be found at specialty tea shops and most Asian supermarkets.

*Do not steep the flowers for more than 10 minutes as this may result in a bitter flavour and turn the tea a slight green colour.

*Do not discard steeped chrysanthemum as it can be steeped again (4 to 5 times or until it loses flavour). 

*To quickly chill liquids (e.g. tea, simple syrups), transfer into a metal bowl. Fill a larger bowl with ice and a small amount of water. Set the bowl with the hot liquid over the ice, constantly stirring until cooled. Cover or transfer into an airtight container and place into the fridge until needed.

*Redpath® Golden Yellow Sugar can be substituted for the Redpath Simply Raw™ Turbinado Sugar; however, note that the lemonade will have slight caramel notes, and the drink will be less vibrant in colour. 

*If a more tart lemonade is preferred, add an additional ¼ to ½ cup (63 ml to 125 ml) of fresh lemon juice to the pitcher.