At the table
Stir to mix the syrup and lemon with the tea. Ask for hot or iced and specify the sweetness you prefer.
Contains tea caffeine. Less sugar does not mean caffeine-free; sweetness depends on the amount of syrup.
The pictured version is iced and has no milk. Hot servings and different black-tea blends are also used.
Know what you’re trying.
A freshly prepared tea drink, not a specified bottled brand. Cup size, tea blend and sweetness vary.
Ingredients
Black tea, water, fresh lemon and sugar syrup; ice for the cold version.
Origin & regional roots
Hong Kong
Associated with Hong Kong.
About this regional connection
Hong Kong: Hong Kong tea-cafe prepared lemon tea; no invention claim.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有港式柠檬茶吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
A tea-cafe staple
This account describes a tradition or story, rather than an established historical fact.
Lemon tea is part of Hong Kong tea-cafe culture alongside milk tea. The balance of strong tea, lemon and sweetness gives it its character; choosing hot or iced changes the way it is served.
