Ghost Iced Tea Lemonade Recipe

Nothing beats the satisfaction of crafting the perfect drink to share with friends and family, especially when it combines the tantalizing zing of lemonade with the soothing whispers of iced tea. The unique twist? Our Ghost Iced Tea Lemonade recipe leans into the spirit of GHOST®’s energizing blend, ensuring not just a tantalizing treat for your taste buds but also a gentle lift to keep you vibrant and alert through your summer adventures.

How to make Ghost Iced Tea Lemonade

Ghost Iced Tea Lemonade is a limited-edition flavor from Ghost Lifestyle, which also features in its energy drink and greens supplement lines.​

Ingredients

• Freshly Brewed Tea: Regular black tea is a classic choice, but for a lighter, botanical flavor, you can opt for green tea or herbal iced tea.
• Lemonade: Freshly squeezed lemonade adds the best flavor, but store-bought works fine if you’re short on time.
• GHOST® Energy Iced Tea Lemonade (optional): If you want to replicate the energy boost from GHOST® Energy, use their canned drink as a base or mix it into your homemade recipe.
• Sweetener: Sugar, honey, or a sugar-free alternative like stevia – adjust to suit your taste.
• Ice Cubes: Don’t skip the ice! Cold drinks hit differently on hot summer days.
• Lemon Slices & Tea Leaves (Optional Garnish): For a visually appealing drink that doubles as Instagram-worthy!

Instructions

Making your Ghost Iced Tea Lemonade is simple and fun:

Step 1: Brew Your Tea

1. Boil water and steep tea bags for 3-5 minutes. Let the tea cool completely.
2. If you’d like extra depth, steep a strong tea and dilute slightly when mixing with lemonade.

Step 2: Prepare the Lemonade

1. Squeeze fresh lemons until you have about ½ cups of juice. If you are using store-bought lemonade, skip this part.
2. Combine lemon juice with water and sweetener to taste in a separate jug.

Step 3: Mix It Up

1. In a large pitcher, combine equal parts iced tea and lemonade.
2. Stir well to blend the flavors. Adjust ratios to suit your taste preference (e.g., more tea for a subtle lemonade or more lemonade for a brighter flavor).
3. Optional: Add GHOST® Energy
4. If using the GHOST® Energy Iced Tea Lemonade drink, pour about ½ of the can into the mix to give it that signature flavor and energy boost.

Step 4: Cool It Off

1. Add lots of ice cubes to the pitcher to chill the drink. Serve over ice for extra coolness.

Step 5: Garnish & Serve

1. Pour into tall glasses, garnish with lemon slices or a sprig of fresh mint, and enjoy!

Tips for Perfecting Your Ghost Iced Tea Lemonade

• Adjust Sweetness: Some people love their tea lemonade sweet, while others prefer a more tangy, natural taste. Start small and add sweetener gradually.
• Play With Tea Types: Experiment with black tea, green tea, or flavored teas like peach or raspberry to give your drink a unique twist.
• Energy Boost Modification: If you don’t have GHOST® Energy, try adding powdered energy supplements or swapping the tea with a caffeinated energy drink (but adjust flavors accordingly).
• Chill First: Always refrigerate your tea-lemonade mixture before serving if you’re pre-making it. This prevents dilution from excess ice.
• Batch Friendly: Double or triple the recipe for parties or gatherings! Serve it in a large dispenser with a spigot for easy access.

What to serve with

Ghost Iced Tea Lemonade, with its refreshing combination of tart lemon and soothing tea flavors, pairs wonderfully with a variety of foods ranging from casual snacks to full meals.

1. Light Snacks and Appetizers

• Fruit Salad: Fresh fruit complements the refreshing qualities of iced tea lemonade. Mix together seasonal fruits like strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, and mango. The natural sweetness and the diverse flavors will pair nicely with the drink.
• Cheese and Crackers: Opt for mild cheeses like brie, mozzarella, or soft goat cheese. Serve with a variety of crackers or lightly toasted slices of baguette. This simple pairing allows the crispness of the lemonade and the richness of the cheese to interact beautifully.
• Veggie Platters with Dip: Raw vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, and celery served with hummus or a ranch dip provide a crunchy, healthy option that balances the sweetness of the lemonade.

2. Main Courses

• Grilled Meats: Ghost Iced Tea Lemonade is ideal for washing down grilled flavors. Whether it’s chicken, pork, or fish, the bright lemonade component cuts through the richness of the meat while the tea provides a smooth, calming undertone.
• Sandwiches and Wraps: Serve lighter poultry or vegetarian sandwiches packed with fresh greens, avocado, and a light dressing. Turkey or chicken wraps with lettuce, Caesar dressing, and parmesan are particularly delightful with iced tea lemonade.
• Seafood Dishes: Grilled or baked seafood, such as shrimp, scallops, or a light fish like tilapia, complements the delicate flavors in Ghost Iced Tea Lemonade. Consider a lemon butter sauce to echo the lemon notes in your drink.

3. Salads

• Garden Salad: Combine mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a vinaigrette dressing. The acidity of the lemonade enhances the fresh taste of the vegetables.
• Pasta Salad: A cold pasta salad with a light dressing can also work well. To complement the zestiness of the lemonade, add ingredients like olives, feta cheese, and fresh herbs.
• Fruit-Based Salads: Think beyond traditional greens by incorporating a fruit salad. A strawberry spinach salad with a poppy seed dressing is particularly refreshing.

4. Desserts

• Lemon Desserts: Lemon bars, lemon meringue pies, or lemon cupcakes can continue the citrus theme without overwhelming the palette.
• Sorbet: A light, fruit-based sorbet like raspberry, mango, or lemon is a refreshing way to end a meal, especially when served with this kind of drink.
• Simple Cookies or Biscotti: Sometimes, just a light crunchy cookie like shortbread or almond biscotti is all you need to accompany a refreshing beverage.

Ingredients Substitutes

Creating Ghost Iced Tea Lemonade requires a harmony of flavors derived from its refreshing and bold components. If you find yourself missing some ingredients or wish to adapt the recipe to suit your dietary preferences or availability of supplies, several substitutes can work well.

1. Tea

Original Ingredient: Black tea or a specific lemon-flavored tea is commonly used for its bold flavors.

Substitutes:

• Green Tea: Lighter and with a slightly grassy flavor, green tea pairs beautifully with lemon but will result in a milder version of the drink.
• White Tea: Delicate and subtle, white tea is another alternative, adding a slight sweetness to the beverage.
• Herbal Tea: For a caffeine-free variant, herbal teas such as chamomile or hibiscus can be used. Hibiscus adds a beautiful color and tartness, complementing the lemonade well.

2. Lemon Juice

Original Ingredient: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is preferred for the freshest flavor and a balance of tartness.

Substitutes:

• Bottled Lemon Juice: An easy and always available option, though it may lack the freshness and zest of its fresh counterpart.
• Lime Juice: Lime can replace lemon for a slightly different, but equally refreshing flavor profile.
• Other Citrus Juices: In a pinch, other citrus juices like orange or grapefruit can be used, though they will significantly alter the flavor profile.

3. Sweetener

Original Ingredient: Simple syrup (a mix of sugar and water) or honey is usually employed to sweeten the tea lemonade to taste.

Substitutes:

• Agave Syrup: A great vegan alternative to honey with a neutral flavor that blends well.
• Maple Syrup: Adds a unique, rich sweetness; however, it will introduce its distinct flavor to the beverage.
• Stevia or Monk Fruit Sweetener: These natural sweeteners can be used for a lower-calorie drink. However, their sweetness level is higher, so adjust quantities accordingly.

4. Water

Original Ingredient: Plain, filtered water is used both in the tea brewing process and, if necessary, in the final dilution of the lemonade.

Substitutes:

• Sparkling Water: For a fizzy take, sparkling water can be used in the final assembly. Do not use it to brew the tea.
• Coconut Water: To add a tropical twist and natural sweetness, replace some of the plain water with coconut water.

5. Additional Flavors

Original Ingredient: Mint leaves or a splash of vanilla extract are sometimes added for extra flavoring.

Substitutes:

• Basil or Rosemary: For a herbaceous note, these can be muddled into the drink, offering a refreshing depth.
• Ginger: Fresh or powdered ginger can add a spicy kick, enhancing the drink’s complexity.

Final Thoughts

This foolproof Ghost Iced Tea Lemonade recipe is the perfect way to stay hydrated and energized while enjoying your favorite flavors. 

More Lemonade Recipes:

• Spicy Tropicana Lemonade Recipe
• Raspberry Lemonade Ginger Ale Recipe
• Copycat Popeyes Pickle Lemonade Recipe
• Pineapple Dragonfruit Lemonade Recipe