Give green tea festive twist

Fasting for nine days during the Navratri festival? Don't let it wreck your diet plan, instead give the humble green tea a makeover with 'upvaas friendly' recipes.

Chef Anoop Paul shares some 'upvaas friendly' Lipton Green Tea recipes:

* Sparkling Fruity Green Tea

Ingredients:

Three cups (750 mL) water

Six green tea bags

1/2 cup chilled purple grape juice

One medium orange, sliced

One medium lemon, sliced

One medium lime, sliced

1/4 cup chilled club soda

Directions:

Pour boiling water over green tea bags in teapot; cover and brew for three minutes. Remove tea bags and squeeze; stir and cool.

Combine tea with remaining ingredients except soda in large pitcher; let it chill for at least two hours. Just before serving, add soda. Pour into ice-filled glasses.

* Green Tea Iced Tea

Ingredients:

Four cups of boiling water

Six green tea bags

One tablespoon of honey

Directions:

Pour boiling water over green tea bags in teapot; cover and brew for three minutes. Remove tea bags and squeeze; stir in honey and cool. Pour into ice-filled glasses and garnish, if desired, with lemon or orange slices.

* Fruity Green Tea Smoothie

Ingredients:

One cup water

Four green tea with honey lemon tea bags

One ripe banana

1/2 cup ice cubes

Directions:

Pour boiling water over green tea with honey lemon tea bags; cover and brew for one to one and a half minutes. Remove tea bags and squeeze. Stir in sugar and chill. In blender, process tea, banana and ice cubes until blended.