This flavorful Fresh Mint Tea recipe is easy to make and perfect after meals. So grab a handful of mint, water, and some honey – let’s brew tea!
Before I lived in the Netherlands, I expected my Dutch diet to involve copious amounts of stroopwafels and cheese. And while this turned out to be true, there was one Dutch speciality that I didn’t expect to fall in love with as hard as I did. Fresh mint tea!
In The Netherlands, fresh mint tea is on almost every restaurant menu as a hot drink to have after eating. Its refreshing flavor cleanses your palate and helps calm your belly after a big meal!
The recipe is so simple that I almost didn’t even post it. But after being back in the states for a few weeks and missing my favorite tea, I thought I better whip myself up a batch (or 10, thanks to mom’s exploding mint garden).
So in case you’re also drowning in mint – or just want to try a new after dinner drink – you’ve got to try this fresh mint tea!
Ingredients for fresh mint tea
- Mint: Fresh mint is a must! Spearmint and peppermint both work well (the difference between mint varieties here).
- Water: Bring water to a boil on the stove or in a kettle (or boil your water in the microwave).
- Honey (Optional): For a slightly sweeter tea, serve it with a drizzle of honey mixed in!
How to Make Fresh Mint Tea
Step 1: Boil Water
Rather than boiling water on the stove, which takes forever and uses a lot of electricity, I’m a huge fan of using a hot water kettle for this! Simply bring your water to a boil then pour it into your serving glasses.
Step 2: Add Mint
Briefly roll the sprigs of mint between your hands to help release the oils, then add 1 or 2 sprigs to each glass. Let steep for 3 to 5 minutes.
Step 3: Serve
Optionally drizzle in a little honey, stirring to dissolve. Optionally garnish with a slice of lemon and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Fresh vs. Dried Mint
While you can make tea from dried mint leaves, I prefer fresh mint tea by far. Fresh mint has a bright, fresh flavor that outshines the dull, muted dried leaves.
Extra Flavor Options
Mint tea can be flavored to suit whatever you’re in the mood for! Here are a few fun additons to try:
- Add green tea: This is otherwise known as Moroccan-style mint tea, and has both green tea and fresh mint!
- Add black tea: Similarly, you can add fresh mint leaves to hot black tea.
- Add lemon: Adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving makes this tea extra bright and tart.
- Make it iced: Make this mint tea as instructed, then refrigerate before serving over ice.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups water 350 mL
- 2 sprigs mint
- 1 tsp honey optional
- 1 slice of lemon optional
Instructions
- Boil: Bring water to a boil (either in a kettle or on the stove). Pour into into your serving glasses.
- Mint: Briefly roll the sprigs of mint between your hands to help release the oils, then add 1 or 2 sprigs to each glass. Let steep for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Serve: Optionally drizzle in a little honey, stirring to dissolve. Optionally garnish with a slice of lemon and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Heather says
I just pruned my mint plant, stripping the leaves to try making tea. So – how many leaves would you say are on a sprig?
Sarah says
I’d say about 10 per sprig! 😀
Sandy Stenquist says
We are a non profit organic gardening group who sell baked beans at a fair. Because no large scale organic apple cider producers are currently available, we are going to experiment with selling organic mint tea with honey. I am interested in proportions needed. Am working with 3/4 of a cup of leaves to 8 cups of hot water and 1 tablespoon of honey to make the initial brew. I then will water it down with cold water. Any input would be really appreciated.
Sarah Bond says
I think that would work! May just need to add more honey.