A bright cup of lemon with nothing to keep you up
Some drinks announce themselves the moment the water hits the bag. Bigelow's I Love Lemon is one of them — a sunny, citrus-forward infusion that smells like a lemon grove and tastes clean, tart, and gently sweet. There is no black tea base hiding underneath, no green tea bitterness, and no caffeine at all. What you get is a straightforward, feel-good cup built around the flavour of lemon, with a soft herbal backbone to round out the edges. It is the kind of brew you reach for when you want something with personality but without stimulation.
This page covers everything worth knowing before you steep a cup: who it suits, how it actually tastes, the exact way to brew it for the best result, when to drink it, what is in it, how to keep it fresh, and the questions people most often ask. Whether you are new to herbal blends or you already keep a box of citrus infusions on the counter, the goal here is to help you get the most out of every bag.
Who this blend is really for
The honest answer is that this is a tea for people who want flavour without consequences. Because it is completely caffeine-free, it works for anyone who loves the ritual of a hot drink but cannot tolerate the buzz — late-evening sippers, light sleepers, people cutting back on coffee, and anyone who finds that caffeine after lunch ruins their night. It is also a friendly choice for households with kids or for guests who do not drink tea late in the day.
Beyond the caffeine question, it suits a particular taste. If you gravitate toward lemon water, citrus sparkling drinks, or a squeeze of lemon in your regular cup, this blend is already speaking your language. It delivers that brightness in a warm, comforting format. People who find plain herbal teas dull are often surprised by how much character the citrus brings — it is far from the flat, grassy stereotype that scares newcomers away from anything labelled herbal.
It is less ideal for someone hunting for a morning pick-me-up or a strong, malty cup with milk. This is a refresher and a wind-down drink, not a substitute for an espresso. Set your expectations there and it rarely disappoints.
What it tastes like
The dominant note is, unmistakably, lemon — but it lands more like fresh lemon zest than the sharp, puckering sourness of a slice. The aroma is the first thing you notice: lift the cup and you get a clean, almost candied citrus scent that is genuinely uplifting. On the palate the brew is light-bodied and crisp, with a tartness that wakes up the mouth and a faint natural sweetness that keeps it from turning harsh.
Underneath the citrus sits a gentle herbal foundation that gives the cup structure without competing for attention. There is no bitterness and no astringency to speak of, which is one of the advantages of a blend like this over a steeped green or black tea: you can leave the bag in longer and it simply gets more lemony rather than turning sour or tannic. The finish is clean and slightly mouth-watering, the kind that makes you want another sip. Served iced, the profile reads even sharper and more thirst-quenching, leaning toward homemade lemonade territory.
How to brew it properly
Citrus infusions are forgiving, but a little precision still pays off. The flavour compounds here release best in fully boiling water, so do not under-heat it the way you would for a delicate green tea.
- Bring fresh, cold water to a full boil — 100 °C, a rolling boil straight off the kettle.
- Use one tea bag per cup, roughly 240 ml of water. This is a single-serve format, so one bag to one mug is the rule.
- Pour the water over the bag and steep for 5 to 7 minutes. The longer end of that range gives a bolder, more pronounced lemon character.
- Lift the bag, give it a gentle press against the side of the cup to coax out the last of the flavour, and discard it.
Because there is no risk of bitterness, the steep time is more about how intense you want the citrus than about avoiding a mistake. If you like it bright and assertive, lean toward seven minutes; if you prefer something softer, pull the bag closer to five. Always use freshly drawn water rather than water that has been sitting in the kettle — re-boiled, flat water dulls the aroma that makes this cup so pleasant.
Iced and cold-brew versions
This blend genuinely shines over ice. For an iced cup, steep one or two bags in a smaller amount of just-boiled water — say 240 ml — for the full seven minutes to make a concentrate, then pour it over a tall glass of ice. Doubling the bags keeps the flavour from washing out as the ice melts. For a smoother cold brew, drop a couple of bags into a jug of cold water and leave it in the fridge for four to six hours; the result is rounder and a touch less tart than the hot-steeped version.
Lemon, sweetener, and simple twists
The lemon character is already front and centre, so you rarely need to add citrus — though a fresh slice in the glass looks lovely and deepens the aroma. Where this brew really opens up is with sweetness. A teaspoon of honey turns it into something close to a warm lemon-and-honey soother, ideal on a scratchy-throat evening. A little maple syrup works beautifully too and keeps it Canadian. A few mint leaves or a thin coin of fresh ginger added to the cup nudges it toward a spa-like infusion, and if you enjoy a lemon balm tea for its own calming, citrus-scented character, steeping a pinch of dried lemon balm alongside the bag is a natural extension of the same idea. Milk is not the move here — dairy and bright citrus do not get along — so keep this one clear.
When to drink it and what to pair it with
This is, above all, an evening tea. With zero caffeine it is the natural choice for the hours after dinner when you want the comfort of a hot cup but have no intention of trading away your sleep. The bright, slightly cleansing quality also makes it a lovely palate-reset after a rich or heavy meal — it cuts through fat and leaves the mouth feeling fresh.
On the food front, it leans toward sweet and buttery pairings. Think shortbread, lemon loaf, scones, pound cake, or anything with a vanilla or almond note. It also flatters fresh fruit, custards, and lighter desserts where you do not want a competing flavour. Served iced through the warmer months, it stands in for lemonade alongside grilled food, salads, and patio snacking. Because it is so versatile across temperatures, a single box covers both the cosy winter nightcap and the summer cooler.
Caffeine and what is in the cup
The headline detail is simple: this is a caffeine-free herbal infusion. It contains no actual tea leaf — no black, green, or oolong base — which is exactly why it carries no caffeine and why you can enjoy it right up to bedtime without a second thought. The flavour is built around lemon and a supporting herbal blend, packaged in convenient single-serve bags so every cup is consistent.
That caffeine-free status is the practical reason so many people keep this around. It slots neatly into a low-stimulant routine, it is suitable late at night, and it gives you a satisfying flavoured drink during pregnancy or any period when you are watching your caffeine intake — though, as with any herbal product, it is sensible to run specific dietary or medical questions past your own healthcare provider. If you have particular allergies or are checking for specific botanicals, the printed box from Bigelow lists the full ingredient details for reference.
How to store it so it stays bright
Citrus flavour is volatile, which means freshness matters more here than with a heavy, robust blend. The aromatic oils that make this cup so lively will fade if the bags are left exposed to air, heat, or strong odours.
- Keep the bags in their original box or an airtight container, away from light.
- Store them somewhere cool and dry — a pantry shelf, not above the stove and not next to spices, coffee, or anything strongly scented, since tea bags readily absorb surrounding aromas.
- Avoid the fridge or freezer; condensation is the enemy of dry tea and will mute the flavour.
- Reseal the box after each use and try to enjoy the bags within a reasonable window of opening for the brightest, most fragrant result.
Why buy it from LocoYoko
LocoYoko is a Canadian roaster and tea shop, and we stock this Bigelow favourite for customers right across Canada. Buying from us means you get fresh, properly stored stock shipped domestically — no long border waits, no surprise duties, and no boxes that have been sitting in a warehouse for a year. We ship free on orders over $50, so it is easy to round out a tea order with our evening blends, fruity options like Raspberry Royale, spiced choices like Orange and Spice, or pair it with our fresh-roasted coffee. And because we want you to actually love what lands on your doorstep, every order is backed by our 30-day happiness guarantee. If something is not right, we make it right. That combination of Canadian shipping, fresh inventory, and a no-fuss guarantee is why so many tea drinkers make us their regular shop. Explore our full tea collection for all your options.
Frequently asked questions
Does this tea contain any caffeine?
No. It is a caffeine-free herbal infusion with no tea-leaf base, which makes it safe to drink in the evening or right before bed without affecting your sleep.
How long should I steep each bag?
Steep one bag in freshly boiled water at 100 °C for 5 to 7 minutes. Aim for the longer end if you want a bolder, more pronounced lemon flavour — there is no risk of bitterness.
Can I drink it iced?
Absolutely. Brew a stronger concentrate with one or two bags, then pour it over ice, or cold-brew a couple of bags in the fridge for four to six hours for a smoother, lemonade-like glass.
Should I add milk?
Skip the milk — dairy clashes with bright citrus. A spoon of honey or maple syrup, or a slice of fresh lemon, suits this cup far better.
How many cups will one box make?
Each bag makes one cup of about 240 ml, so the number of cups matches the bag count in your box. One bag per mug is all you need.
Do you ship across Canada?
Yes. We ship nationwide from our Canadian roastery with free delivery on orders over $50, and every purchase is covered by our 30-day happiness guarantee.
2026 Canadian Choice Award
Proud winner
