Korean Yuja Mint Tea: My Favorite Starbucks Tea Copycat Recipe
I highly recommend yuja mint tea if you want to experience authentic Korean tea at Starbucks Korea. It is a truly delicious blended tea that is refreshing with a strong yuja aroma and a perfect cooling finish from the mint.
But what if you could enjoy this iconic starbucks tea right in your own kitchen? Today, I’m sharing my go-to starbucks copycat recipe that tastes just like the original (if not better!). This yuja mint tea is delicious whether you drink it warm in the winter or ice-cold in the summer!
What is Yuja Mint Tea?
This is a blended tea made by steeping a mint tea bag with yuja marmalade, and it is a current menu item at Starbucks Korea. The harmony of refreshing yuja and cooling mint makes this yuja mint tea one of the most popular drinks available.
What is Yuja (Citron)?
Yuja is the fruit of the yuja tree, belonging to the citrus family, and is a representative winter fruit that ripens yellow between November and December. It has a very deep aroma and a strong sour taste like a lemon. It is rich in Vitamin C and citric acid, making it excellent for preventing colds and relieving fatigue. It is characterized by its bumpy skin and is primarily enjoyed as a tea by making “Yuja-cheong” (marmalade) with sugar or honey and mixing it with water.
Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Copycat Recipe
Who is This Tea For?
- People with a cold: Since yuzu tea and lemon juice are high in Vitamin C, it is great for people suffering from a cold.
- People avoiding caffeine: This yuja mint tea is a perfect tea alternative because both yuja tea and peppermint tea have 0mg of caffeine.
- Vegan & Lactose Intolerant: While you can choose soy or oat milk at Starbucks, this yuja tea is highly recommended for vegans or those with lactose intolerance.
- People needing relaxation: Peppermint tea is known for aiding digestion and relieving stress. When combined with Yuja’s high Vitamin C, this starbucks tea becomes a powerful recovery drink for both your body and mind.
Yuja Mint Tea Calories & Nutrition
- Dietary Info: Vegan, Gluten-Free, Caffeine-Free, Dairy-Free
- Calories: Looking at the Starbucks nutrition facts, a tall size is 145 calories. Compared to a Java Chip Frappuccino at 340 calories, this is a low-calorie drink. If you make this starbucks copycat recipe at home, you can use sugar substitutes or reduce the yuja marmalade to make it even lower in calories.
How to Choose the Best Yuja Marmalade
A good yuja marmalade should have a high yuja content (about 50% or more) and be preserved only with sugar or honey without artificial additives for a deep scent. I currently live in Belgium, so I didn’t have many choices, but my Korean mom always chooses one with high yuja content and honey when she is in Korea.
Ingredients & Step-by-Step Instructions
Main IngIngredients for Yuja Mint Tea
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to master this starbucks copycat recipe:
- Steep the Tea: Place the mint tea bag in 200ml of hot water. Let it steep for exactly 3 minutes to get the full minty aroma without any bitterness.
- Mix the Base: Remove the tea bag. Add the 4 tbsp of yuja marmalade and 1 tbsp of lemon juice directly into the hot starbucks tea base.
- Dissolve & Serve: Stir well with a spoon to ensure the thick yuja marmalade dissolves completely into the hot water.
Pro Tip: If you want an Iced Yuzu mint tea, simply use 100ml of hot water to steep the tea and stir in the marmalade, then fill the rest of the glass with ice and cold water!
Starbucks Style Customization Tips
Let’s try personal options at home just like at Starbucks for your starbucks tea.
- Sweetness Control: If you prefer it less sweet, reduce the yuja marmalade and add a squeeze of fresh lime. You can maintain the citrus scent while reducing sweetness. If you want more sweetness, add more yuja marmalade or honey.
- Extra Sourness: If you want more of that citrus sour taste, just add more lemon juice.
- Tea Pairing: If you want a stronger mint scent, you can add one more tea bag. If you want it weaker, take the tea bag out after steeping for about 1 minute and 30 seconds. You can also add more water.
- Iced: To enjoy it cold, steep the tea in only 80ml of hot water, add 80ml of cold water, and fill the rest with ice.
Best Dessert Pairings
Oreo Ice Box Cake
I recommend this as the most delicious cake among those that don’t need to be baked in an oven.
Easy Oreo Icebox Cake Parfaits: Elegant No-Bake Dessert
Brownies
Is there any break happier than having a warm yuja mint tea with sweet brownies?
Easy Christmas Brownie Recipe: Homemade Gingerbread Man Brownie
FAQ about Yuja Mint Tea
Korean Yuja Mint Tea: My Favorite Starbucks Tea Copycat Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp Yuja Cheong Yuja marmalade
- 1 Mint tea bag
- 200 ml Hot water
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
Instructions
- Steep the mint tea bag in hot water for 3 minutes.1 Mint tea bag, 200 ml Hot water
- Remove the tea bag, then add the yuja marmalade and lemon juice.4 tbsp Yuja Cheong, 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- Stir well with a spoon to let the yuja marmalade dissolve in the hot water.
