I have to admit, I was so disappointed when Starbucks took their Guava White Tea Lemonade Recipe off the menu.

It was my absolute favorite summer drink! Instead of mourning its loss, I decided to recreate it at home.

After a few tries, I landed on this recipe, which I think is even better than the original. It’s wonderfully refreshing, perfectly sweet, and has that amazing tropical flavor I was craving.

Now I can enjoy this fruity iced tea whenever I want, and honestly, making it myself is so much more satisfying.

Ingredients

Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need to whip up this delightful drink.

White tea bag: One bag is perfect. White tea has a delicate, slightly sweet flavor that doesn’t overpower the other ingredients. If you can’t find it, green tea is a good substitute.
Hot water: ½ cup. This is just enough to properly brew the tea and dissolve the honey.
Guava juice: 1 cup. Also known as guava nectar, this is the star of the show. It provides that signature sweet, tropical flavor.
Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon. Freshly squeezed is always best for the brightest, most authentic lemonade taste. Bottled juice will work if you’re in a pinch.
Honey: 1 teaspoon (optional). I find the guava juice is sweet enough on its own, but a little honey adds a nice floral note. You can adjust this to your taste.
Ice cubes: ½ cup for brewing, plus more for serving. The ice helps to flash-chill the tea, which is a great trick for making iced tea quickly.

Note: This recipe makes enough for two 12-ounce servings.

Variations

One of the best parts about making drinks at home is customizing them. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Sugar-Free Option: If you’re watching your sugar intake, you can omit the honey entirely. The guava juice provides a natural sweetness. You could also use a sugar substitute like stevia.
Try Different Teas: While white tea is classic, don’t be afraid to experiment. Green tea, black tea, or even a floral hibiscus tea would create a delicious and unique flavor profile.
Flavor-Enhancing Add-Ins: For a creamier, more tropical vibe, stir in ¼ to ½ cup of coconut milk. You could also swap the lemon juice for lime juice to make a Guava White Tea Limeade.
Juice Blends: Don’t have enough guava juice? Mix it with other tropical juices like pineapple, mango, or passion fruit for a complex, fruity beverage.

Cooking Time

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes (for steeping)
Total Time: 25 minutes

Equipment You Need

Large measuring cup or pitcher: This is for brewing the tea and mixing all the ingredients together easily.
Serving glasses: You’ll need two 12-ounce glasses or one large 24-ounce glass for serving.
Spoon: A long spoon is helpful for stirring everything together until well combined.

How to Make Guava White Tea Lemonade Recipe?

This recipe is incredibly simple to follow and comes together in just a few steps. It starts with brewing a concentrated, flash-chilled tea, which is the secret to a flavorful iced tea that isn’t watered down. Then, it’s just a matter of combining everything and serving it over ice for a perfectly chilled, refreshing drink.

Step 1: Brew the Tea

First, bring your water to a boil. Pour ½ cup of the hot water into a large measuring cup or pitcher. If you’re using honey, add it now and stir until it completely dissolves. Place the white tea bag into the hot water and let it steep for 10 minutes. This initial steep develops the core tea flavor.

Step 2: Flash-Chill the Tea

After the first 10 minutes, add ½ cup of ice cubes directly to the hot tea. The ice will begin to melt, rapidly cooling the tea while also diluting it to the perfect strength. Let the tea bag continue to steep in this cooling mixture for an additional 10 minutes. This method prevents the tea from becoming cloudy or bitter.

Step 3: Mix and Serve

Once the tea is done steeping, remove and discard the tea bag. Pour the guava juice and freshly squeezed lemon juice into the pitcher with the brewed tea. Stir everything together until it’s well combined. Fill your serving glasses with plenty of fresh ice and pour the guava white tea lemonade over top.

Additional Tips for Making this Recipe Better

Over the course of perfecting this recipe, I’ve picked up a few tricks that really elevate it.

I found that using two tea bags instead of one gives the drink a stronger, more pronounced tea flavor that stands up well to the sweet guava juice. If you’re a big tea lover, I highly recommend trying this.
For an extra frosty treat, I like to pour the prepared lemonade into ice cube trays and freeze them. Then, I blend the frozen cubes for a slushy-style drink that’s perfect for a hot afternoon.
Don’t be shy with the garnish! I think a fresh lemon wheel and a sprig of mint make the drink look as good as it tastes. It adds a nice aroma, too.

How to Serve Guava White Tea Lemonade Recipe?

Presentation can make a simple drink feel like a special occasion. For a classic look, serve the lemonade in tall Collins glasses filled with ice. Garnish each glass with a thin slice of lemon on the rim or a few fresh mint leaves. For a party, you can make a large batch in a clear glass pitcher so guests can admire the beautiful pink color. Add lemon slices and mint directly to the pitcher for a lovely presentation.

Nutritional Information

Here is a general look at the nutritional content for one serving.

Calories: 71 kcal
Carbohydrates: 18g
Protein: 0.04g
Fat: 0.02g

Make Ahead and Storage

This recipe is great for preparing in advance, so you have a refreshing drink ready to go.

You can brew the white tea up to a day ahead of time. Simply let it cool completely and store it in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Store any leftover guava white tea lemonade in a sealed jar or pitcher in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days.

I do not recommend freezing the finished lemonade (unless making slushies), as the ingredients can separate upon thawing. It is best enjoyed fresh or stored in the refrigerator.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

You are sure to fall in love with this homemade version of a coffee-shop favorite for many reasons.

So Refreshing: The combination of fruity guava, zesty lemon, and delicate white tea creates a perfectly balanced and incredibly refreshing drink that’s ideal for warm weather.
Easy to Make: With just a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps, you can whip up this delicious beverage in under 30 minutes. No special skills or equipment are needed.
Completely Customizable: You can easily adjust the sweetness, try different teas, or add other juices to make this recipe your own. It’s a great base for your own creative drink concoctions.
Better Than Store-Bought: Making this drink at home means you control the ingredients. You can make it with less sugar and without any artificial flavors, resulting in a fresher, more natural taste.