Craving that fruity, refreshing Starbucks Guava White Tea Lemonade? While Starbucks no longer officially offers this particular beverage, don’t worry! You can easily recreate this delightful iced drink at home, and many would argue, make it even better. This copycat recipe uses simple ingredients to bring you a taste that’s incredibly close to the original, perhaps even surpassing it in flavor and freshness, all without breaking the bank.
Inspired by the now-discontinued Starbucks favorite, this recipe allows you to enjoy a guava white tea lemonade whenever the mood strikes. It’s perfect for hot days, summer gatherings, or simply as a flavorful pick-me-up. If you’ve been searching for a way to quench your thirst with a fruity and light iced tea, look no further.
Iced Guava White Tea Lemonade in a glass with lots of ice cubes.
Like many home cooks, I enjoy the challenge of creating copycat versions of beloved drinks and dishes. There’s a satisfaction in knowing exactly what goes into your food and drinks, often making them healthier and tastier than store-bought options. This Starbucks guava white tea lemonade recipe is no exception. It’s about capturing that familiar flavor profile while using quality ingredients and controlling the sweetness level to your preference.
Developing this recipe involved some dedicated effort. From sourcing the right white tea – yes, the same type Starbucks used to use in some of their drinks – to experimenting with different lemon juice ratios, every step was taken to ensure this homemade version truly hits the spot. You might be wondering, “does Starbucks serve white tea anymore?” While their menu offerings change, and the guava white tea lemonade is no longer listed, the essence of that refreshing white tea flavor is key to this copycat recipe.
So, if you’re seeking a revitalizing and flavorful drink, I highly recommend giving this homemade guava white tea lemonade a try. It’s a simple recipe that delivers big on taste.
Simple Ingredients for Homemade Guava White Tea Lemonade
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need a handful of ingredients to whip up this refreshing beverage:
Ingredients for copycat Starbucks guava white tea lemonade.
- White Tea: The heart of this drink! White tea provides a delicate and slightly sweet flavor that perfectly complements the guava and lemon. If you’re unable to find white tea bags, green tea can be used as a substitute, although white tea is recommended for the most authentic flavor. While the question “does Starbucks serve white tea?” might lead you to their current menu (which may vary), for this copycat, white tea is essential to capture the original taste.
- Guava Juice (or Guava Nectar): Guava juice brings a tropical sweetness and unique flavor that defines this lemonade. Look for guava juice or nectar in the juice aisle of your grocery store.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always best for a bright and zesty lemonade flavor. However, bottled lemon juice can also work in a pinch if you’re short on time.
- Sweetener (Optional): Honey is used in this recipe as a natural sweetener, but you can substitute with sugar, agave, maple syrup, or a honey simple syrup. Adjust the amount of sweetener to your liking. Personally, I find the combination of guava and lemon to be naturally sweet enough without adding any extra sweetener.
- Hot Water and Ice: Essential for brewing the tea and creating that perfect iced drink temperature.
How to Make Guava White Tea Lemonade: Step-by-Step
Making this Starbucks copycat drink is incredibly easy and quick:
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Brew the White Tea: In a measuring cup, dissolve honey (if using) in ½ cup of boiling water. Add the white tea bag and let it steep for 10 minutes. This initial steep extracts the delicate flavors of the white tea.
How to brew iced white tea. -
Cool and Strengthen the Tea: After 10 minutes of steeping, add ½ cup of ice cubes to the hot tea. This quickly cools down the tea and dilutes it slightly. Continue to steep for another 10 minutes, or until the ice cubes are mostly melted. This double steeping method ensures a flavorful and well-brewed iced tea. Remove and discard the tea bag. For a stronger tea flavor, you can use two white tea bags instead of one.
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Combine Ingredients: In a pitcher or large bowl, pour in the brewed white tea, guava juice, and lemon juice. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
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Serve and Enjoy: Fill a glass with ice cubes. Pour the guava white tea lemonade over the ice and serve immediately. Garnish with a lemon slice or a sprig of mint, if desired.
Guava white tea lemonade in a glass with a measuring cup and squeezed lemon in the background.
Tips for Make-Ahead and Storing
- Make Ahead: You can brew the white tea concentrate up to a day in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply mix it with the guava juice and lemon juice.
- Storing Leftovers: If you have leftover guava white tea lemonade, store it in a covered jar or pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors may meld together even more over time!
White Tea Guava Lemonade in a cup with a straw.
Customize Your Guava White Tea Lemonade
This recipe is a fantastic base, but feel free to get creative and customize it to your preferences! Here are a few ideas to make it your own:
- Frozen Guava White Tea Lemonade Slushie: Prepare the white tea as directed and freeze it in ice cube trays. When you’re ready for a frozen treat, blend the white tea ice cubes with guava juice and lemon juice until smooth.
- Guava Iced Tea Limeade: For a slightly different citrus twist, replace the lemon juice with lime juice. This will create a guava white tea limeade instead of lemonade.
- Experiment with Different Teas: While white tea is the star of this recipe and connects it to the original inspiration (even if “does Starbucks serve white tea” is no longer a direct menu question), you can try using green tea or black tea for a different flavor profile. Green tea will offer a slightly more robust and grassy note, while black tea will provide a bolder, more classic iced tea taste.
- Explore Other Juice Combinations: While guava is delicious, don’t hesitate to experiment with other fruit juices. Orange juice, pineapple juice, mango juice, or even a combination of these would all be tasty alternatives to guava juice.
- Add a Creamy Touch: For a richer, creamier drink, stir in ¼-½ cup of coconut milk to taste. This will create a guava white tea lemonade with a tropical, creamy twist.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy this homemade guava white tea lemonade on its own as a refreshing beverage any time of day. It also pairs wonderfully with various meals, especially during warmer months. Consider serving it as a delightful refreshment with:
- Light lunches like salads or sandwiches
- Grilled chicken or fish dishes
- Spicy foods to cool down the palate
- Summer barbecues and picnics
This recipe yields enough for two “Tall” (12 oz each) lemonades or one “Venti” (24 oz). Double or triple the recipe as needed to serve a larger crowd.
Two glasses of iced tea lemonade.
Recipe Card
## Iced Guava White Tea Lemonade
Inspired by the Starbucks Guava White Tea Lemonade and made with simple ingredients, this refreshing recipe is filled with fruity flavours!
**5 from 40 votes**
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**Prep Time:** 5 minutes minutes
**Steeping:** 20 minutes minutes
**Total Time:** 25 minutes minutes
**Servings:** 2 (12 oz) Drinks
**Calories:** 71kcal
### Ingredients
- ½ cup hot water
- 1 teaspoon honey optional, plus additional to taste
- 1 bag white tea
- ½ cup ice cubes plus additional for serving
- 1 cup guava juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed, about ¼-1/2 lemon, plus additional to taste
**(Prevent your screen from going dark)**
### Instructions
- In a large measuring cup, dissolve the honey (if using) in ½ cup of boiling water. Add the tea bag and allow to steep for 10 minutes.
- At the end of 10 minutes, add ½ cup ice and allow the tea to continue to steep for 10 minutes.
- Mix in the guava juice and lemon juice. Place a generous amount of ice in 1 large or 2 small glasses and pour the iced tea lemonade into them.
- Serve!
### Notes
**Leftovers** Store leftover white tea lemonade in a jar or pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
### Nutrition
Serving: 24oz | Calories: 71kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 0.04g | Fat: 0.02g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 132mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 0.5IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.02mg
Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you thought in the comments below!