Orange and Lemon Verbena Juice

Ingredients

• 500 ml (2 cups)boiling water
• 4 stemsfresh lemongrass
• 1 tsp (5 ml)fresh or dried lemon verbena leaves
• 4oranges, juiced
• to tastehoney

Instructions

1. 1

   Infuse the herbs

   Pour the boiling water over the lemongrass and lemon verbena leaves, then leave the infusion to cool.

2. 2

   Mix and sweeten

   Strain the cooled infusion, combine it with the orange juice and add honey to taste.

What is orange and lemon verbena juice?

This is a fresh juice drink made by combining orange juice with a cooled herbal infusion. The method draws on the familiar practice of steeping herbs for flavour, then pairing the infusion with fruit.

Here, lemongrass and lemon verbena bring fragrant, citrus-like notes that complement the oranges. The infusion is cooled before mixing so the fresh juice remains the focus.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 90 calories, 2g protein, 21g carbs, 0g fat.

Most of the carbohydrates and natural sugars come from the orange juice, with any honey adding more carbohydrates. The drink contains little protein or fat; serve it alongside a protein-rich food, such as yoghurt, to make a more balanced breakfast.

The herbal infusion

Lemongrass: use fresh stems as listed, and pour the boiling water over them so their aroma can infuse the liquid.

Lemon verbena: the recipe calls for just a teaspoon of leaves, fresh or dried. Its light, lemony fragrance adds another layer without needing a large quantity.

Getting the balance right

Orange juice: freshly juiced oranges provide the drink's fruity base. Taste the mixture before adding any honey, since the oranges may already be sweet.

Honey: stir it in to taste after combining the strained infusion and juice. Adding it gradually makes it easier to keep the drink from becoming too sweet.

Straining and cooling

Cool the infusion before straining and mixing it with the orange juice. This gives the herbs time in the water while avoiding a warm, freshly mixed drink.

Strain out the lemongrass and leaves before serving so the finished juice has a smooth texture.

Herbs and flavour

The description suggests peppermint or lemongrass as alternatives to lemon verbena. Lemongrass is already included in this version, so peppermint can be used in place of the verbena for a different herbal note.

Keep the infusion mild and taste it with the orange juice before sweetening. The citrus flavours should remain clear rather than being masked by too much honey.

Serving the drink

Serve the juice once the infusion has cooled and been mixed with the oranges. It makes four servings, so divide it evenly among glasses.

Pair it with breakfast or a light snack when you want a fruit-forward drink. Stir the jug before pouring if the mixture has settled.

Recipe notes & tips

• Taste the orange juice before deciding how much honey to add.
• Use either fresh or dried lemon verbena leaves as listed.
• Allow the infusion to cool before combining it with the juice.
• Strain the infusion thoroughly to remove the leaves and lemongrass.
• Stir the mixture before serving so the flavours are evenly distributed.

Variations

• Peppermint: use peppermint in place of the lemon verbena for a different herbal aroma.
• Lemongrass focus: omit the lemon verbena and steep the lemongrass on its own.
• Less sweet: leave out the honey or add only a small amount after tasting.
• More citrus: add a little extra orange juice and adjust the honey to taste.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Mixing while warm: let the infusion cool first so the finished drink is not warm.
• Skipping the straining: strain out the herbs before adding the orange juice for a smooth drink.
• Adding honey all at once: sweeten gradually and taste as you go.
• Over-steeping by guesswork: follow the method and let the infusion cool rather than adding extra steps or ingredients.
• Forgetting to stir: mix the drink again before pouring if its components have settled.

How to store

Keep the mixed juice covered in the refrigerator and drink it within 1–2 days for the freshest flavour. Stir before serving; this drink is best served chilled rather than reheated.

Frequently asked questions