Panera Bread Green Tea Recipe

This Panera Bread Green Tea is a crisp, nectar-like escape—the exact drink I crave when I need a revitalizing lift on a humid afternoon. A perfect combo of earthy green tea, golden honey, and the tropical brightness of passionfruit, it is a chilled masterpiece that strikes a delicate balance between floral sweetness and refreshing tartness. The way the subtle fruit notes dance through the clean tea base makes it more than just a beverage; it’s a spa-like experience in a glass that keeps you coming back for one more sip.

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Panera Bread Green Tea Recipe Ingredients

• 4 cups water, divided
• 4–5 green tea bags (Sencha or a mild green tea works best)
• ¼ cup honey or granulated sugar (adjust to your preferred sweetness)
• 1 cup passionfruit juice or nectar (this is the “secret” Panera flavor)
• 1 tsp lemon juice (optional, for added brightness)
• Fresh mint or lemon slices for garnish
• Ice cubes for serving

How To Make Panera Bread Green Tea Recipe

1. Boil the water: Bring 2 cups of the water to a boil in a small saucepan or kettle.
2. Steep the tea: Remove the water from the heat and let it sit for about 60 seconds so it cools slightly (to roughly 175°F/80°C). Drop in the green tea bags and steep for no more than 3 minutes. Over-steeping green tea can lead to a bitter aftertaste.
3. Sweeten: Remove and discard the tea bags. While the tea is still hot, stir in the honey or sugar until completely dissolved.
4. Combine and dilute: In a large pitcher, combine the concentrated tea base with the remaining 2 cups of cold water and the passionfruit juice. Stir in the lemon juice if using.
5. Chill: Refrigerate the pitcher for at least 2 hours, or until completely chilled. The flavors will continue to meld and deepen as it sits.
6. Serve: Fill tall glasses with ice and pour the green tea over the top. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint or a slice of lemon for that professional café look.

Recipe Tips

• Passionfruit is Key: The distinct “Panera” flavor comes from passionfruit. If you can’t find pure passionfruit juice, look for passionfruit nectar (like Goya brand) or a “Tropical” juice blend that lists passionfruit as a primary ingredient.
• Watch the Temperature: Never use rolling boiling water for green tea. If the water is too hot, it scorches the delicate leaves, resulting in a bitter, grassy flavor rather than a smooth, floral one.
• Honey vs. Sugar: Panera’s version is quite sweet. Using honey adds a lovely floral depth that complements the passionfruit, but simple granulated sugar provides the cleanest, most “copycat” flavor.
• Make it a Concentrate: If you have limited fridge space, you can brew the tea with only 2 cups of water and add the remaining water and juice just before serving.

What To Serve With Panera Bread Green Tea Recipe

• A fresh Napa Almond Chicken Salad sandwich
• A bowl of creamy broccoli cheddar soup
• A classic Panera Bread Grilled Cheese sandwich
• A simple fruit cup with melons and grapes
• A slice of lemon poppyseed cake

How To Store Panera Bread Green Tea Recipe

• Refrigerate: Keep the tea in a sealed pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
• Avoid Cloudiness: If your tea becomes cloudy in the fridge, adding a tiny splash of boiling water can often clear it up instantly.
• Freeze: You can freeze this tea in ice cube trays! Use the tea cubes in your drink so that as they melt, they don’t dilute the flavor of your tea.

Panera Bread Green Tea Nutrition Facts

• Calories: ~90 kcal (per 12-oz serving)
• Carbohydrates: 23g
• Protein: 0g
• Fat: 0g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 21g

Nutrition information is estimated based on the use of honey and passionfruit nectar.

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