As a registered dietitian, I get a kick out of discovering how simple ingredients can transform our health. Last summer, my kitchen experiments led me to create this nutrient-packed iced green tea recipe!
This iced green tea has become my go-to pick-me-up drink, especially during those long, warm days. What sets this recipe apart is how it delivers more antioxidants than regular iced green tea while maintaining that smooth, refreshing flavor we all crave. The addition of Live it Up Super Greens powder adds a beautiful emerald color and provides potent greens that support your daily wellness goals without any grassy or bitter aftertaste.
Why This Recipe Works
Several clients have asked me for alternatives to their daily coffee habit, and I often suggest green tea as a natural alternative. Green tea has gained tremendous popularity as a healthier alternative to coffee, and for good reason. It provides a gentle caffeine boost without the jitters or digestive issues, plus it's packed with beneficial compounds like flavonoids and amino acids that may support various health goals.
However, many, including me, find the bitter or bland taste of traditional iced green tea unpalatable. That’s exactly why I made a recipe that delivers both nutrition and great-taste.
This recipe:
- Prevents bitterness through proper water temperature and steeping time.
- Involves simple preparation that anyone can master with basic kitchen tools and ingredients.
- Is naturally refreshing with a bright, clean taste profile.
- Has a versatile base that can be customized with various add-ins.
- Controls caffeine since Live it Up Super Greens is caffeine-free. You can enjoy the green tea benefits without overdoing your caffeine intake.
Ingredients
To make around two, 12-ounce servings of iced green tea, you will need:
- 2 green tea bags or 2 teaspoons of loose-leaf green tea
- 2 cups filtered water
- 1-2 tablespoons of honey or your preferred natural sweetener (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional)
- 1 lemon slice for garnish (optional)
- 6-8 fresh mint leaves (optional)
- 1 cup of ice cubes
- 2 scoops of Live it Up Super Greens powder (Original or Wild Berries flavor)
Instructions
This recipe is nothing like those multi-page, complicated Top Chef recipes. Six simple steps and you get a powerhouse of iced green tea that's ideal for slow sipping.
- Heat water to 170°F (77°C) rather than boiling it. If you go overboard with the heat, the boiling water will extract too many tannins and create that not so pleasant astringent taste that can overpower the delicate green tea flavors.
- Steep green tea for only 2-3 minutes and remove tea bags or strain the loose leaves. Longer steeping times can result in bitterness and grassiness.
- Stir in optional ingredients like honey and lemon juice while the tea is still warm. The warmth helps dissolve the honey completely.
- Allow the tea to cool to room temperature before proceeding. This step is key to retaining the nutrients in the Super Greens powder and preserving the delicate tea flavors.
- Add Live it Up Super Greens powder and whisk until completely dissolved.
- Pour over ice in any glass. If you’re feeling fancy, you can garnish with fresh mint leaves and lemon slices. I would recommend serving the brew immediately for the best taste and presentation.
Nutritional Insights From a Dietitian
This new spin on traditional iced green tea is more than just a refreshing beverage. It's a functional drink that provides multiple possible health benefits in every sip. Let me break down the nutritional powerhouse you're creating.
Green Tea
Green tea is renowned for its impressive antioxidant profile, particularly its high concentration of catechins, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). These powerful compounds have been extensively studied for their potential to:
- Influence metabolism and may assist with healthy weight management.
- Provide neuroprotective benefits that may support brain health and cognitive function.
- Offer anti-inflammatory properties that can help mitigate oxidative stress throughout the body.
The moderate caffeine content in green tea (about 25-50mg per cup) may help sustain energy without the crash associated with higher-caffeine beverages.
Greens Powder
Adding Live it Up Super Greens transforms this simple iced tea into a nutrient-dense superfood drink. Each scoop offers:
- Concentrated dosages of 20+ organic vegetables and superfoods like burdock root, nettle leaf, broccoli, and nopal cactus.
- These plants provide natural vitamins A, B, and K, plus zinc, folate, magnesium, and iron.
- 5 billion CFUs of dairy-free probiotics and 3 grams of dietary fiber to support gut health and immune function.
- Digestive enzymes like papain, bromelain, and vegetarian pepsin that can help your body process and absorb nutrients more efficiently.
- Antioxidants from ingredients like spirulina, chlorella, and ginger that complement the green tea's antioxidant profile.
Hydration
This low-calorie beverage is an excellent way to increase your daily fluid intake without any harmful additives or artificial flavors. Proper hydration supports:
- Optimal brain function and mental clarity
- Healthy skin and cellular function
- Efficient nutrient transport throughout your body
- Temperature regulation and joint lubrication
Sweetener
If you prefer a sweetened green tea, honey offers several advantages over refined sugar. For instance, raw honey has natural enzymes that may support hydration. It’s also absorbed more slowly than refined sugar.
Live it Up Super Greens is naturally sweetened with monk fruit, a zero-calorie sweetener, making this drink suitable for those watching their sugar intake.
Tips for Success
I believe this recipe is easy to follow and will consistently deliver great results, but I also understand the need for variation. Here are a few notes on possible switch-ups that don’t sacrifice nutritional value.
Experiment With Your Recipe
Don't be afraid to customize this base recipe to suit your preferences.
Cold Brew Method: If you prefer an even smoother taste, steep your tea bags in cold water in the fridge for 4-6 hours. This method produces a less bitter, more mellow green tea taste that can be a refreshing break, especially during the hot summer days.
Flavor Variations:
- Add in cucumber or apple slices for a spa-like twist.
- Steep herbs like ginger or lemongrass in your iced tea.
- Include fresh berries for natural sweetness and additional antioxidants.
- Splash in some coconut water or a 100% fruit juice, like orange or cranberry, for a variation.
- Play around with different citrus fruits like lime or grapefruit.
Sweetener Alternatives:
- Agave nectar dissolves easily and has a mild flavor.
- Stevia provides sweetness without the calories, but it can leave an aftertaste.
- Pure maple syrup adds a subtle caramel note.
Storage Recommendations
With a busy lifestyle, proper storage ensures great taste while maintaining both flavor and nutritional quality. The brewed tea base (without Live it Up Super Greens) can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in a large pitcher in the fridge. Here’s how I recommend you store your green tea.
- Use glass containers to keep the flavor intact.
- Only add your scoops of Super Greens when you're ready to have your drink.
- Don't store with ice, as the melting ice will dilute the flavor over time.
Also, it’s probably best to savor your iced tea within 24 hours of preparation for optimal taste and nutrient retention.
Why Try Live it Up Super Greens in Your Recipes

Nothing gives me more joy than finding new ways for my clients to increase their vegetable intake without sacrificing taste or convenience. And luckily, Live it Up Super Greens makes this incredibly simple. Each scoop provides the goodness of organic vegetables, probiotics, and digestive enzymes.
What makes Live it Up Super Greens particularly well-suited for beverages like this iced green tea is its carefully crafted flavor profile. Unlike many greens powders that can taste overly grassy or bitter, this blend is designed to complement rather than compete with other flavors. The Original blend adds a subtle, minty, naturally sweet taste that enhances the green tea‘s delicate flavor profile, while the Wild Berries flavor creates a fruity twist.
Also, the fact that Live it Up is completely free of caffeine, gluten, dairy, nuts, additives, fillers, and soy makes it perfect for those with dietary sensitivities. This iced green tea recipe is nourishing and hydrating, making it the perfect drink for any time of day.
FAQs About Iced Green Tea
How can I prevent my green tea from becoming bitter?
Oversteeping is the most common cause of bitter green tea. The trick to preventing bitterness is proper brewing technique. Use hot water (around 170°F) and remove the tea bags after just 2-3 minutes of steeping. If you prefer a stronger flavor, use more tea bags rather than steeping longer.
What are the health benefits of adding greens powder to my tea?
Adding Live it Up Super Greens can significantly bump up the nutritional value of your iced tea. You'll get a range of micronutrients from concentrated vegetables like spinach and broccoli, probiotics for gut health, digestive enzymes, and additional antioxidants that go beyond the benefits of green tea alone. Greens powders can also support overall health and wellness goals like immune function, energy, and digestive health.
Can I use matcha instead of green tea bags?
Yes! Matcha can be used instead of regular green tea bags. The ideal ratio to use is 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of matcha powder per cup of water. I would recommend you first whisk the matcha with a small amount of cool water to create a smooth paste, and then add the remaining water. Keep in mind that matcha has a stronger flavor and higher caffeine content than regular green tea.
Is it okay to sweeten my iced green tea?
If sweet tea is your jam, you can try natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar to enhance the flavor without altering the purported health benefits. Start with small amounts of your preferred sweetener and adjust as per your liking. The Live it Up Super Greens powder already contains monk fruit sweetener, so you may not need to add honey or any additional sugar or sweeteners.
Is green tea anti-inflammatory?
Green tea contains powerful anti-inflammatory compounds and catechins. These antioxidants, particularly EGCG, can help manage inflammation throughout the body and may support brain function, stress response, and overall immunity. The addition of a greens powder delivers bonus anti-inflammatory nutrients from vegetables and superfoods.
What do I mix with green tea to make it taste better?
You can mix in some fresh lemon or lime juice, mint leaves, honey, fresh ginger, or cucumber slices to enhance the flavor. The Live it Up Super Greens powder in this recipe actually improves the taste because it has a natural sweetness from monk fruit extract.
References
- https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/green-tea
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4055352/
- https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/82/6/1151/4607670
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7022351/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6213249/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519490
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27883924/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8945730/
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-green-tea
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3679539/
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280640459_Dietary_water_affects_human_skin_hydration_and_biomechanics
- https://www.news-medical.net/news/20200930/Research-can-help-better-manage-body-temperature-regulation-and-hydration-in-older-adults.aspx
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/green-tea-vs-coffee
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/caffeine-in-green-tea
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