If you’re looking for a sunshiny sip that’s as lovely to make as it is to share, Easy Citron Tea (Made with Meyer Lemons) will absolutely steal your heart. With bursts of sweet-tart lemon, fragrant honey, and vibrant citrus peel, this delightful tea brightens any moment, whether you serve it hot on a chilly day or iced for summer gatherings. Plus, it’s a genuine crowd-pleaser — and the homemade preserves make a thoughtful (and dazzling) gift.

Easy Citron Tea (Made with Meyer Lemons) Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe keeps things simple, highlighting just a few beautiful ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in creating the irresistible flavor, aroma, and cheerful color that make Easy Citron Tea (Made with Meyer Lemons) special.

Meyer Lemons: Their natural sweetness and floral notes are essential for making the tea incredibly fragrant and mellow—if you can’t find them, regular lemons work, but Meyer lemons make it sing!
Sugar: Sweetens and preserves the citrus mixture, offering the perfect balance to the lemon’s tang.
Honey: Adds a gentle, soothing aroma and rich, caramel-like sweetness that rounds out the flavor beautifully.

How to Make Easy Citron Tea (Made with Meyer Lemons)

Step 1: Prep the Lemons

Give your lemons a really thorough wash to remove any wax or residue on the skin — since you’ll be using the peels, this step is key! Cut each lemon in half along its length, then use a spoon to scoop out the juicy flesh into a bowl. Don’t stress if a little pulp clings to the peel; it all adds flavor.

Step 2: Slice the Peels

Stack two pieces of peel and carefully cut them into thin, elegant strips — the thinner, the better for both texture and presentation. You’ll end up with roughly 2 cups of vivid, golden peel ribbons.

Step 3: Mix with Sugar and Honey

In a big bowl or large container, combine the sliced peels with all your sugar and that luscious spoonful of honey. The sugar will draw out the lemon’s juices and start softening the peels.

Step 4: Add the Lemon Flesh

Squeeze some juice from the reserved lemon flesh, pick out any seeds, and let the lovely pulp remain. Pour 1/4 cup of the juice (plus pulp!) into your bowl with the peels, sugar, and honey. Give this mixture a thorough stir so the flavors can mingle.

Step 5: Store and Let It Marinate

Spoon everything into mason jars or a tightly sealed container — just remember, don’t fill it all the way to the top. The peels will release more juice overnight, so a bit of headroom prevents any sticky surprises. Let it sit on the counter overnight, then give it another stir before refrigerating. The mixture will keep in the fridge for up to a month.

Step 6: Enjoy and Serve!

Once the sugar dissolves and the mixture is glossy and syrupy, it’s ready to turn into the best Easy Citron Tea (Made with Meyer Lemons) you’ve ever tasted. Use a heaping teaspoon for each cup of water — then get creative with your teas (hot, cold, sparkling, or with a splash of bourbon for festive evenings).

How to Serve Easy Citron Tea (Made with Meyer Lemons)

Garnishes

Dress up your mug with a curl of lemon peel, a fresh Meyer lemon slice, or a sprig of fresh mint for a dazzling finish. Even a cinnamon stick or pinch of edible flowers can elevate your cup, adding visual appeal and extra fragrance.

Side Dishes

This tea pairs beautifully with buttery cookies, light sponge cakes, or fluffy steamed buns. For a weekend brunch, serve Easy Citron Tea (Made with Meyer Lemons) alongside scones with clotted cream and jam, or keep it refreshing with a plate of crisp fruit.

Creative Ways to Present

Pour the tea over ice with sparkling water for a stunning lemonade-style refresher, or tuck a jar of the lemon mixture into a gift basket with loose leaf teas. For gatherings, set up a citron tea bar and let guests mix their own with add-ins like fresh herbs or floral infusions.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once you’ve prepared the lemon mixture, keep it sealed in the fridge. It will stay fresh and flavorful for up to a month, and actually gets more delicious as it matures and the flavors meld. Use a clean spoon each time to avoid introducing moisture or contaminants.

Freezing

Want to extend its shelf life? Portion the lemon-honey mixture into freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays. It freezes beautifully for up to three months—just thaw in the fridge when you’re ready for a taste of sunshine.

Reheating

If you’re making a hot Easy Citron Tea (Made with Meyer Lemons), you don’t need to reheat the mixture itself—just add it to boiling water or hot brewed tea, and it will dissolve quickly. For iced or sparkling versions, use it directly from the fridge.

FAQs

What’s special about Meyer lemons versus regular lemons?

Meyer lemons are a hybrid between a lemon and a mandarin orange, which means they’re naturally sweeter, less acidic, and delightfully floral. They bring a unique complexity and mellow brightness to Easy Citron Tea (Made with Meyer Lemons).

Can I use other citrus fruits?

Absolutely! You can try oranges, yuzu, or even grapefruit for a twist, though each will change the flavor. Meyer lemons really shine in this recipe, but don’t be afraid to experiment.

How do I make the tea less sweet?

Start by adding a smaller spoonful of the citron mixture to your cup, then taste and adjust as needed. The mixture itself is sweet for preservation, but you can always dilute your serving with extra water or tea.

Is this the same as Korean yuja-cha?

Easy Citron Tea (Made with Meyer Lemons) is inspired by traditional Korean citron or yuzu tea, but uses Meyer lemons for a unique twist. The method and style are similar, but the flavor profile is gently different thanks to the lemons’ floral notes.

Can kids drink this tea?

Yes! The standard recipe is caffeine-free, soothing, and filled with vitamin C. Just be sure to skip any alcohol if you’re serving it to children (so keep the bourbon version for the grownups).

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never made your own tea concentrate before, Easy Citron Tea (Made with Meyer Lemons) will have you hooked from the very first batch. It’s cozy, comforting, and impossibly fragrant — truly sunshine in a cup. Give it a try and let a little citrus magic brighten your day!

Easy Citron Tea (Made with Meyer Lemons) Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 7 reviews

Author: Jack
Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes (including overnight resting)
Yield: Approximately 2 cups of citron tea mixture 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Learn how to make Easy Citron Tea using Meyer Lemons. This refreshing tea is simple to prepare and can be enjoyed hot or cold, making it a versatile and delicious beverage.

Ingredients

Scale

Lemon Peel Mixture:

6 Meyer lemons (or lemons)
1 and 3/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon honey

Instructions

Prepare Lemon Peel: Thoroughly wash the lemons. Cut them in half and scoop out the lemon flesh.
Slice Lemon Peel: Stack two pieces of lemon peel and slice thinly into strips.
Mix Ingredients: Transfer lemon peels to a bowl, add sugar and honey. Add lemon juice.
Store: Place mixture in jars or container, leave space and let sit overnight. Refrigerate.
Ready to Use: Once sugar dissolves, the citron tea is ready to use.
How to Use: Instructions for regular, black, cold, and evening citron tea.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Beverage
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: Global