Tea Mocktail: Black Tea and Citrus Highball

A tea mocktail uses tannin and aroma to balance juice and syrup.

Serving inspiration from the ProstZero drink collection: midnight citrus tea

A tea mocktail uses tannin and aroma to balance juice and syrup. Strong cooled black tea provides a clear starting point. Control strength with the amount of tea rather than an excessively long steep.

The quantities make one serving. Measure the ingredients before mixing and chill any mixer. Syrups, juices and bottled alternatives vary in sweetness and acidity, so taste the base before topping up.

Ingredients for one serving

  • 90 ml strong cooled black tea
  • 20 ml lemon juice
  • 15 ml simple syrup
  • 70 ml soda
  • Ice
  • Lemon peel

Method

  1. Brew tea according to its instructions and cool it.
  2. Stir with lemon and syrup.
  3. Pour over ice.
  4. Add soda and serve with lemon peel.

Getting the balance right

Oversteeped black tea can taste drying and bitter, which sugar does not reliably fix. Brew fresh using more tea instead. Varieties create different profiles; a smoky tea changes the drink much more than a mild breakfast blend.

Variation and substitutions

Use suitable rooibos for a caffeine-free interpretation. For a fruitier version, replace 30 ml soda with apple juice and reduce syrup to 10 ml.

Preparing several servings

Measure juice, purée and syrup shortly before serving. Add ice and carbonated ingredients when you make the drink. To serve a group, multiply the quantities, but adjust one glass first before mixing the whole pitcher.

Common question

Can I use bottled iced tea?

Yes, but check its sweetness. Initially omit syrup and adjust lemon after tasting.

Find more ideas in our mocktail recipe guide . Compare this with Whiskey Sour Mocktail: Tea or Whiskey Alternative or browse the drink collection .